Scam Used Forged Appraiser's Signature

[CANative]

If a report is written to Adobe Distiller it can be locked for everything but printing and viewing. They would have to print it then manually change anyting (including a signature) This can be done just as easily with a hard copy report.

 

[Steve Owen]

Greg, there are people out there who can break into military and other government computers. Stealing cable and satellite service by cracking computer codes is common place. It is possible to get a copy of almost any encrypted computer program because someone has cracked the code and posted it on the internet.

Do you really think Abobe is going to keep out a determined hacker? The main security we have going for us is that most of the people who are the most capable of this stuff are not very interested in us. That could change.

Sure, it is certainly possible to forge or alter a hard copy report. But, when that is done, most of the time there will be tell tale signs. If an e-report is changed there may not be any indication.

 

[CANative]

I always ensure that I wear my tinfoil hat when prepapring appraisal reports.

 

[Jeff Horton]

Originally posted by Residential Appraisal Ser@Nov 13 2003, 10:36 AM
....we discussed the forging of sig on electronic appraisals.. I mentioned at the time that was why I wouldnot do anything but a hard copy appraisal.
Electronic appraisals while fast play right in the hands of a mortgage company that will leave you holding the bag. ....

Whats stops them them printing out a paper copy and someone forging you written signature? That would be easier than computer forgery for most people.

I used to be able to forge my fathers signature so well he had to ask if I signed it or he did. Sure was handy on report card day too. :mrgreen:

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Originally posted by Greg Boyd@Nov 13 2003, 10:42 AM
If a report is written to Adobe Distiller it can be locked for everything but printing and viewing. They would have to print it then manually change anyting (including a signature) This can be done just as easily with a hard copy report.

Wrong, grasshopper! It can be locked from printing, too! However, none of your clients would appreciate it! :lol:

 

[xm39hnu]

Youse guys who think that locking a PDF against anything is effective might want to take a look at the Elcomsoft site. They've got a little program which will break that encryption very quickly.

 

[CANative]

Wrong, grasshopper! It can be locked from printing, too! However, none of your clients would appreciate it! :lol:

Tim... you velly funny!

Jim...in addition to my tinfoil hat, I also keep a sharp eye out for the black helicopters

-grasshopper (from hopland)

 

[Scott Kibler]

If somebody wants to forge your work all they have to do is get blank forms, type away then sign your name. A little more work maybe but certainly doable. Locking PDF's ain't gonna help you with that one. I've also heard that you can "print" a locked PDF to Adobe Distiller and be able to edit the new PDF but I've never tried that myself. Bottom line is if someone's determined enough, they will forge your work and there's not a lot you can do about it.

 

[Alan Simmons]

I possess the necessary skills to easily manipulate a PDF.

There really is not much an appraiser can do independent of the client to secure the file. If the client is not an active participant in security the appraiser is severely limited. Without the client’s help affective security measures can quickly make a file difficult for apathetic clients to use. Such one sided security is very easy to bust. In fact it can be used to the hackers advantage. As long as the user has a file they assume everything to be copacetic

I will give you a more interesting scenario to think about. Many LO (local brokers, branch offices, et al) have very little security on their computers. Once logged in someone could manipulate all the (competitor’s) files they wanted, or email all of the competitor’s files to the state board for review.

Although there are several holes in my system, I apply an algorithm to every PDF I email. To validate the file I just need to apply the algorithm to the suspect file. If the numbers match then nothing has been changed.

Alan
Association of Information technology Professionals (member at large)
Management Information Systems (UAH, 2003)

 

[CANative]

Like locking your car door or your gym locker, locking a pdf file just keeps honest (or stupid & dishonest) people honest. I lock mine to keep them from easily changing "subject to" to "as is" or changing fair condition to average condition. Things like that.

If someone wants to commit a mortgage crime, they're going to no matter what we do.

btw, i knew you could lock out printing. you can also password protect the file, etc. as a former graphic artist from the old days, i've used adobe products since there were adobe products.