What Fraudsters Are Searching For

Fraudsters rarely operate in the open.

But if you pay attention, the signals are there, hidden in metadata, formatting, behavioral patterns, and sometimes in something as ordinary as a search query.

At ACUTRAQ we believe the best fraud prevention starts with curiosity. That’s why we’ve partnered with multiple vendors that continually reverse-engineer fraud tactics: studying forgery techniques, analyzing document manipulation methods, and applying those insights to strengthen our fraud detection technology.

Recently, they took a unique approach by examining SEO (search engine optimization) data and it revealed surprising patterns in how fraudsters think and act.

Using SEO as a Signal for Fraud Behavior

During the research, we found that some keyword searches online weren’t coming from businesses seeking verification solutions or individuals learning about compliance. Instead, they looked more like intent signals from fraudsters themselves.

By reviewing search volumes and filtering out legitimate queries, we uncovered clusters of keywords that appear tied to fraudulent document creation. This gave us a new perspective on the types of forgeries criminals attempt most often.

Why Keywords Matter

A keyword is simply a phrase typed into Google. But when analyzed at scale, keywords become behavioral signals:

• Search volume shows how common the behavior is.

• Query structure reveals intent.

• Patterns over time show how tactics evolve.

Most companies use keyword data to understand customer demand. We use it to understand deception.

What Fraudsters Are Trying to Fake

The data is grouped into four common document categories that fraudsters target:

Bank Statements

• Fake chase bank statement

• Editable bank statement template

• Bank statement maker

W-2s & 1099s

• Editable w2 template

• How to get a fake w2

• W2 form download (altered)

Pay Stubs

• Fake pay stub generator

• Editable pay stub template

• Create pay stub online

Employment & Income Letters

• Proof of income letter generator

• Fake employment verification letter

• Editable income verification letter

These align with the very documents we most often detect as manipulated in high-trust workflows like tenant screening and employment verification.

The Language of Deception

One of the most telling signs is how these fraudulent search queries are worded:

• “How to make a fake bank statement”

• “Create your own pay stub”

• “Generate employment verification letter”

Fraudsters use subtle, DIY-style phrasing that sounds harmless on the surface but conceals malicious intent. That’s why ACUTRAQ’ s document fraud detection doesn’t just look for anomalies—it interprets them, reasoning about intent as well as evidence.

At ACUTRAQ, our mission is to help businesses reason through risk, not just react to it. That means leveraging every possible source of intelligence to improve fraud detection, strengthen defenses, and protect trust in critical workflows. And because document forgery is only one piece of the puzzle, we’ve also developed additional tools designed to verify identity and confirm application data with greater certainty. These solutions work together to expose inconsistencies and reduce the risk of fraud before it reaches your business.

Fraud tactics are constantly evolving but so are we. By combining multiple verification products, ACUTRAQ can delivers proactive fraud detection that keeps your organization one step ahead.