How can I edit a bank statement and ensure hidden info can't be revealed?

sparkiemalarkie

Hi I need to send a number of bank statements to show proof of income.
I have tried to edit a PDF and blank out everything that isn't relevant, but I now find that these edits can be undone by the receiver - giving away vulnerable information.

I'm now thinking about blanking out the info with paper and tape before scanning to PDF....is there an easier way?

tia

sx

outtatune

Save them as jpeg images and use any paint app to black out the sensitive bits. E.g if you use Windows there's the Paint app already installed.

outtatune

If you don't know how to save as jpeg you can use this converter

https://www.adobe.com/uk/acrobat/online/pdf-to-jpg.html

It's safe to trust Adobe, they own the pdf format.

sparkiemalarkie

Thank you I will give it a go.
Can it be converted back to PDF?

sx

BikingBud

Look for the redact function and then save it:

"If you overwrite the original PDF with the redacted version, the redacted information is gone forever."

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to/how-to-remove-redactions-pdf

outtatune

sparkiemalarkie said:

Thank you I will give it a go.
Can it be converted back to PDF?

sx

Are you on Windows? If so if you 'print' the image one of the options you get should be 'Microsoft print to pdf' which doesn't print it but saves it as a pdf.

But if not Adobe as well as having an online pdf to jpeg converter also have an online jpeg to pdf converter.

https://www.adobe.com/uk/acrobat/online/jpg-to-pdf.html

outtatune

BikingBud said:

Look for the redact function and then save it:

"If you overwrite the original PDF with the redacted version, the redacted information is gone forever."

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to/how-to-remove-redactions-pdf

That assumes the OP has Acrobat Pro.

35har1old

sparkiemalarkie said:

Hi I need to send a number of bank statements to show proof of income.
I have tried to edit a PDF and blank out everything that isn't relevant, but I now find that these edits can be undone by the receiver - giving away vulnerable information.

I'm now thinking about blanking out the info with paper and tape before scanning to PDF....is there an easier way?

tia

sx

They may not accept altered statements
For example All documents must be an original and not downloaded from the internet.
 Which is strange as most banks want you to go paperless
Will they not accept pay slips

sparkiemalarkie

35har1old said:

sparkiemalarkie said:

Hi I need to send a number of bank statements to show proof of income.
I have tried to edit a PDF and blank out everything that isn't relevant, but I now find that these edits can be undone by the receiver - giving away vulnerable information.

I'm now thinking about blanking out the info with paper and tape before scanning to PDF....is there an easier way?

tia

sx

They may not accept altered statements
For example All documents must be an original and not downloaded from the internet.
 Which is strange as most banks want you to go paperless
Will they not accept pay slips

thanks...might be worth asking the question before doing too much

sx

MalMonroe

Yes, I was thinking the very same as 35har1old. Which is why they want originals. It's not difficult for those who know how to tweak information on official documents, nor indeed for them to create their own.

Is it an official institution you are sending them to? Is there any reason for you to distrust them?

It's like when you sometimes have to send your passport somewhere and keep your fingers crossed until it returns. Of course that could just be me.

TadleyBaggie

MalMonroe said:

It's like when you sometimes have to send your passport somewhere and keep your fingers crossed until it returns. Of course that could just be me.

Might be, never had to send my passport to anyone except to the Passport Office during renewal.