StatementCheap

Bank statement checker: do the numbers add up?

Upload a PDF bank statement and we check whether its numbers are consistent: the opening balance plus every transaction must equal the closing balance, and each running balance must follow from the one before. Math that doesn't add up is a common sign of an edited statement.

  • 5 free pages a day with a free account
  • Checked against the statement's balances
  • Files never stored

Drop PDF statements here

or choose files. Any bank, any country. Scanned PDFs work too.

5 free pages a day with a free account. No card.

🔒 Read on Cloudflare's network · files never stored · never used to train AI

Updated · By the StatementCheap team

What does the bank statement checker do?

It reads every transaction on a PDF statement and checks that the statement agrees with itself. If someone changed a number without changing every other number that depends on it, the arithmetic breaks, and the checker shows you where.

  1. Whole-statement check. Opening balance + money in − money out must equal the closing balance, to the cent.
  2. Running balance check. Where the statement prints a balance after each transaction, each balance must equal the previous one plus that transaction. The rows where it doesn't are highlighted.
  3. A spreadsheet to review. Download every transaction as Excel or CSV to total the deposits, sort by amount or search the descriptions.

The first 5 pages each day are free with a free account. Our accuracy page explains the check in detail.

Can this detect a fake bank statement?

Partly. It catches one common sign of editing: numbers that don't add up. It can't prove a statement is genuine. A careful forger can change a deposit and every balance after it so the math still works, or build a fake statement from scratch with consistent numbers. Treat a statement that adds up as "no arithmetic red flags," not as "verified."

A statement that doesn't add up isn't proof of fraud either. The cause can be innocent:

  • A conversion error. The AI can misread a digit or a sign, especially on scans and photos. Check the highlighted rows against the PDF.
  • A missing page. If a page is missing, the transactions on it are missing too.

Who uses it?

  • Landlords and property managers checking statements sent with a rental application.
  • Lenders and mortgage brokers reviewing statements for income and assets. See bank statements for mortgage brokers.
  • HR teams and employers who receive statements as proof of funds or past pay.
  • Small business owners checking a customer's or supplier's statement before extending credit.

Other signs to look at

Arithmetic is one check. Fannie Mae's mortgage fraud guidance lists red flags that apply to any statement, including:

  • "Different handwriting or type styles within a document," and numbers that look "squeezed" due to alteration.
  • "Dates of bank statements are unusual or out of sequence."
  • "Recently deposited funds without a plausible paper-trail or explanation."
  • "Balances verified as even dollar amounts."
  • "Bank statements do not reflect deposits consistent with income."

Also check that the name, address and account number match the applicant and stay the same on every page, that all pages are there ("page 3 of 4"), and that the statement period lines up with the previous month's. Fannie Mae adds that one or more red flags don't necessarily mean fraud, only that you should look closer.

How to verify a bank statement for sure

Go to the bank, not the document. Only the bank can confirm what's in the account. Ways to do that:

  • Get it from the bank directly. Ask the bank to send statements or a verification straight to you. Mortgage lenders use Fannie Mae's Verification of Deposit (Form 1006), which must be requested from the bank and sent back directly by the bank.
  • Watch the applicant download it. Ask the applicant to sign in to online banking and download the statement in front of you, or share their screen while they do.
  • Use read-only account access. Some account verification services connect to the applicant's bank, with their consent, and share balances and transactions without the applicant handling a PDF.
  • Call the bank using a phone number you look up yourself, not the one printed on the statement. Banks usually need the account holder's permission before they confirm anything.

Only upload statements you're authorized to review, get the applicant's consent, and follow the screening and privacy laws that apply to you. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Your files stay private

Statements are processed in memory and not stored by StatementCheap. The transactions go back to your browser and aren't kept on our servers. We keep only metadata, such as the page count and whether the statement reconciled, for billing and abuse prevention.

Works with statements from any bank, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, Barclays and HSBC.

FAQ

Can this tool tell me if a bank statement is fake?
Not on its own. It checks whether the statement's numbers add up, which catches many edits. A statement that adds up can still be fake, so verify important statements with the bank directly.
What does it mean if a statement doesn't add up?
Something is inconsistent: the statement may have been edited, a page may be missing, or a number may have been misread during conversion. Check the highlighted rows against the PDF before drawing conclusions.
Is a bank statement that adds up genuine?
Not necessarily. Someone who edits carefully can keep the totals and running balances consistent. Treat it as one check passed and confirm with the bank for anything important.
How do I verify a bank statement with the bank?
Have the bank send the statement or a verification directly to you, or watch the applicant download it from online banking. Lenders use Fannie Mae's Verification of Deposit form, which the bank returns directly.
Is the bank statement checker free?
Yes, for 5 pages a day with a free account (email only, no card). After that, a $6 pack covers 150 pages and plans start at $9 a month. See pricing.