Fraud is a pervasive risk for businesses of all sizes and industries. As services become more digital, threats evolve and diversify. From false documents to identity theft, going through the digital manipulation, each customer contact point becomes a potential risk vector. Identifying the most frequent types of document fraud is the first step in strengthening your systems. fight against fraud.
Identity fraud: the most common entry point
This is one of the most common types of fraud in digital customer journeys. A fraudster uses a false identity—real or fictitious—to access a service, sign a contract, or obtain a benefit. This can take the form of:
- false documents (counterfeit or altered identity documents),
- of stolen documents (stolen or recovered from the dark web),
- or a combination of both.
Identity fraud is particularly critical in regulated sectors subject to KYC and AML-CFT standards, where document verification is a legal requirement.
Document falsification: an increasingly sophisticated threat
Thanks to accessible editing software, document forgery has become easier and harder to detect. Altered social security numbers, falsified amounts on pay slips, altered dates on contracts... the techniques are multiplying.
Digital tampering is sometimes undetectable to the naked eye. Only specialized tools can identify structural inconsistencies, suspicious metadata, or traces of graphic manipulation.
Suspicion of fraud must be systematically integrated into control workflows: a doubt about a document? It must be treated as a weak risk signal, triggering a thorough check.
Business-related document fraud
With the rise of KYB (Know Your Business), fraudsters are now targeting legal business documents: falsified KBIS (Business Registration Documents), amended articles of association, URSSAF (Registration of Companies) certificates, or counterfeit RIB (Bank Account Numbers). These fake documents are used to:
- circumvent the rules of access to a service,
- embezzle public or private funds,
- impersonate a legitimate supplier in purchasing systems.
These documentary fraud are particularly dangerous because they can impact the entire value chain, from onboarding to invoicing.
Internal fraud: a taboo that costs dearly
Often underestimated, internal fraud includes embezzlement committed by employees. It can involve:
- the creation of false expense receipts,
- the handling of accounting documents,
- the addition or deletion of parts in a documentary process.
An automated document control system, combined with complete traceability of actions, makes it possible to considerably reduce this risk.
Automate the fight against fraud, without losing fluidity
La fight against document fraud shouldn't slow down your customer journeys. That's where intelligent automation comes in: extracting data, cross-referencing it, detecting anomalies, and alerting you of suspected fraud—all in seconds.
The solutions developed by Luminess address this critical need. Thanks to advanced digital tamper detection, contextual analysis, and cross-verification modules, they enable:
- to identify falsified documents upon receipt,
- to reduce the human burden on simple checks,
- and to isolate sensitive cases requiring expert human analysis.
Le résultat: robust document control, without disruption to the user experience.
A comprehensive anti-fraud strategy
To be effective, the fight against fraud must be thought of in a global way:
- team awareness,
- clear control policies,
- up-to-date technological tools,
- human supervision on risky cases.
Forged documents, digital tampering, and other forms of circumvention must be anticipated from the design stage of digital journeys. And systems must be able to evolve with threats.
Conclusion
Whether it's identity fraud, document forgery, or internal manipulation, businesses must be extra vigilant. The diversity of threats requires a proactive approach based on technology, document expertise, and a comprehensive view of risks. By relying on partners like Luminess, who combine regulatory expertise, technological innovation, and human leadership, organizations can secure their growth in a digital world that is more complex than ever.