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New Participant
February 26, 2024
Question

PDF edits and fraud

  • February 26, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 1192 views

I was given a print out of a financial report that was printed from a PDF file.  When I started looking at the numbers on the report, they did not add up correctly.   The line items appeared correct., but when I manually totaled them, the totals were all wrong.  When I questioned the numbers and ask how the report was prepared. I was told that a PDF file was downloaded from QuickBooks and then forwarded to someone for review and printing.  The person that printed and presented the report states that they combined two pdf reports into one document and when they were combined, it resulted in a "file corruption" and the discrepancy in the numbers.   I obtained the original electronic file from the person that prepared the report.   The *only* numbers that are different between the original and the one the one when the discrepancy are the totals.  All of the line items stayed the same and there is no difference in any other part of the report.    I don't see any way that the numbers on a PDF file would change in this manner due to a "corrupted" file.  It's not a spreadsheet.  There are no formulas associated with the file.  The only way that the numbers would have changed is if an intentional edit was made.  I have requested an electronic copy of the "corrupted" file.  They have refused to provide it.   If the file was "corrupted", then it wouldn't be viewable.   How can I prove that they are lying to people who do not understand the difference between a PDF and a spreadsheet.  

2 replies

try67
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2024

It's very difficult to prove such a thing, especially if you don't have access to the "corrupt" file.

But your description makes much more sense than theirs. It's extremely unlikely that only that specific part of the file will be corrupt and in such a convenient way that it shows another number exactly in the same location, and nothing else. Why didn't it show letters/characters in that spot? Or in other locations? Why is the file viewable in the first place if it got corrupted? Etc. It's much more likely someone edited it.

New Participant
February 26, 2024

Thank you.  They have refused to provide an electronic copy of the "corrupted" file.   I know there is no way that 4 specific numbers were changed and nothing else changed on the entire document.  It's just frustrating because I'm dealing with people who don't have that much computer knowledge when I explain how implausible the explanation is.

Joel Geraci
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 27, 2024

If you are able to share the modified file, I might be able to look at the instruction set and see if there are differences in different sections.

Joel Geraci
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2024
How can I prove that they are lying to people who do not understand the difference between a PDF and a spreadsheet.  

 

 

I think you just did in your post.