The fastest check for a fake employment letter is a phone call — but not to the number printed on the letter. Find the company's main number independently via Google or their official website, then ask HR to confirm employment. Fake letters often list contact details that go nowhere or to a personal number. For passes and identity documents, the SG Work Pass app catches most fakes quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Call the employer using a number found independently — not the number on the letter
- A company with no website, no Google presence, and no ACRA record is a serious red flag
- Work passes have a QR code on the back — scan it with the SG Work Pass app to verify instantly
- Always ask for original documents; photocopies and screenshots should not be accepted
- Student passes and LTVPs require a separate check on the ICA website, not the SG Work Pass app
- Even verified documents can be fake — independent verification calls are non-negotiable
How to Spot a Fake Employment Letter
Employment letters are the easiest document to fabricate. Anyone can create a letterhead in a word processor.
Check 1: Verify the company exists independently. Google the company name. Check that it has a functioning website, a registered business address, and ideally a presence on LinkedIn or ACRA BizFile (www.bizfile.gov.sg). A company with no web presence at all — especially for a tenant who appears to be a professional — is a red flag.
Check 2: Call the company's main number, not the number on the letter. This is the single most reliable check. Find the company's contact number through their official website or a Google search, then call and ask HR to confirm that the person named in the letter is currently employed there. Most HR departments will confirm employment status without disclosing salary. If the number on the letter goes to a personal mobile or doesn't connect to a real switchboard, that's your answer.
Check 3: Compare the letter details against ACRA. Pull the company's BizFile from ACRA BizFile+ and check that the registered address matches what's on the letterhead. Discrepancies between the letter and official registration records suggest the letter was prepared without access to accurate company information.
| Employment Letter Red Flag | What It Suggests | |---------------------------|-----------------| | Company has no website or LinkedIn presence | May not be a real operating business | | Phone number goes to a personal mobile | Letter was not issued by the company | | Company address doesn't match ACRA records | Details were fabricated or outdated | | Letter is missing a company UEN or registration number | Unverifiable entity | | Generic formatting, no proper letterhead branding | Possibly self-prepared | | Role or salary inconsistent with company type or size | Details may have been inflated |
How to Verify Work Passes and Identity Documents
For foreign tenants, pass verification is straightforward if you use the right tools.
SG Work Pass app (for Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit). Every valid work pass has a QR code printed on the back. Download the SG Work Pass app, open it, and scan the QR code. The app returns the pass holder's name, pass type, and validity status immediately. A pass that fails to scan, returns mismatched details, or has no QR code is not genuine.
ICA website (for Long-Term Visit Pass and Student Pass). The SG Work Pass app does not cover LTVPs or student passes. Check these at the ICA e-Services portal. Enter the FIN number to verify validity and expiry date.
Always ask for the original, not a copy. It is a legal requirement for both landlords and agents in Singapore to verify original identity and pass documents before a tenancy is signed. Photocopies and screenshots are not acceptable for verification purposes. A tenant who can only produce a photo of their pass — and not the physical document — should raise immediate concern.
Check the photo matches the person. Verify that the photo on the document matches the person standing in front of you. Borrowed documents are a real risk.
How to Check Income Documents for Inconsistencies
Salary slips are harder to fake convincingly because genuine ones follow consistent formats generated by payroll software. Look for handwritten figures, inconsistent fonts, or obvious template styling — these suggest the document was prepared manually. Cross-check the company name on the slip against ACRA BizFile, and compare the stated salary against what's typical for the role and company size. A follow-up call to the employer catches most inflated figures.
For a full checklist of what to request and how to verify each document, see the documents to request when screening tenants guide. For step-by-step guidance on verifying employment and income specifically, see how to verify tenant income and employment.
What to Do If You Suspect a Document Is Fake
Don't confront the tenant directly. Simply decline the application. If you suspect an identity or pass document is forged — not just an employment letter — consider reporting it to the relevant authority, as landlords in Singapore can face penalties for renting to tenants who are in the country illegally.
For the complete picture on what a proper screening process involves, see the tenant screening guide for Singapore landlords.
FAQ
What is the quickest way to verify a tenant's employment letter?
Call the employer using a number you find independently — through their website or Google — not the number printed on the letter. Ask HR to confirm the person is currently employed. It's straightforward and is the most reliable check available.
Can a tenant's work pass be fake?
Yes, but the SG Work Pass app makes verification simple. Scan the QR code on the back of the pass. The result shows the holder's name, pass type, and validity. A pass that fails to scan or returns incorrect details should not be accepted.
What should I do if a tenant only shows me a photocopy of their pass?
Do not accept it for verification purposes. Singapore law requires landlords and agents to verify original documents before a tenancy begins. Ask to see the physical pass. If the tenant can't produce one, decline the application.
How do I check if the company on an employment letter is real?
Search the company name on Google and on ACRA BizFile (www.bizfile.gov.sg). A legitimate company will have a UEN, a registered address, and typically a web presence. If none of these appear, the company may not exist.
How do I verify a student pass or Long-Term Visit Pass?
The SG Work Pass app does not cover these pass types. Use the ICA e-Services portal at ica.gov.sg instead. Enter the FIN number to check validity and expiry date.
What if the employment letter looks professional but I still have doubts?
Call the company's official switchboard — not the number on the letter — and ask HR to confirm employment. A professional-looking letter does not mean it was actually issued by that company.
Are income documents like payslips easy to fake?
Easier than pass documents — no QR code to scan, no government database to cross-check. Look for formatting inconsistencies, compare employer details against ACRA, and call the company directly to confirm employment.
Can I get in trouble if I unknowingly accept a fake document?
Singapore law requires landlords to take reasonable steps to verify tenant eligibility. Using the SG Work Pass app, ICA portal, ACRA BizFile, and making a verification call covers what's expected. Accepting a photocopy without checking is not.
Does Tenant Griffin check whether a tenant has submitted fake documents before?
Tenant Griffin surfaces reports from other landlords — including cases where tenants provided false information or documents during screening. It won't replace direct document verification, but it adds a layer of history that direct checks can't give you.
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