How to read a stamp

What it means. The file carries a digital signature that checks out and the file is unchanged since it was signed.

What it doesn't mean. That the signer is who they say. Pixel Receipt can't confirm a signer's identity from the browser.

What to do. Check the signer with the issuer.

What it means. The file has a valid digital signature, and nothing has changed since it was signed. This browser can't confirm who the signer is.

What it doesn't mean. That the document is genuine. Anyone can sign a file with their own certificate.

What to do. Ask the issuer who signed it.

What it means. The file was changed after it was signed.

What it doesn't mean. That it is a forgery. Some changes are harmless, like adding a page number. But the signature no longer covers them.

What to do. Ask the issuer for a fresh copy.

What it means. The signature doesn't match. The signed part was altered, or the signature is fake.

What it doesn't mean. That the issuer did it. It only says the signature can't be trusted.

What to do. Don't rely on the file. Ask the issuer.

What it means. A QR code or web address on the file leads to a lookalike of an official site, such as a made-up “verification” page.

What it doesn't mean. That the person who sent it made the fake. It only says the link doesn't go to the real issuer.

What to do. Don't trust what that page shows. Go to the issuer's real site yourself.

What it means. The file's history shows it was changed after it was first made, or text is written over other text.

What it doesn't mean. That the document is false. People edit real documents for harmless reasons.

What to do. Ask the issuer to confirm what the original said.

What it means. Something in the file doesn't fit an official document.

What it doesn't mean. That it is fake. These are clues, not a verdict.

What to do. Confirm it with the issuer.

What it means. The file is a scan, so edits made before it was scanned can't be seen.

What it doesn't mean. That it is clean. A scan can hide changes.

What to do. Confirm it with the issuer.

What it means. No digital signature and no signs of editing in the file.

What it doesn't mean. That it is genuine. Most real certificates aren't signed, and a good fake isn't either.

What to do. Only the issuer can confirm it. Ask them.

What it means. The file has a kind of signature this site can't check yet.

What it doesn't mean. That anything is wrong.

What to do. Confirm it with the issuer.

What it means. The AI detector and the file's own details point to an AI-generated image.

What it doesn't mean. That it is certain. Detectors can be wrong, especially after an image is compressed or edited.

What to do. Look at where else it appears, and who first posted it.

What it means. A face in the image looks AI-altered.

What it doesn't mean. That the whole image is fake.

What to do. Ask for the original, uncropped photo.

What it means. Some signs of AI, but not enough to be sure.

What it doesn't mean. That it is AI, or that it isn't.

What to do. Treat it with care and look for the source.

What it means. Editing software or changes show in the file's details.

What it doesn't mean. That the picture is misleading. Cropping and color fixes are common.

What to do. Compare it with the original if you can.

What it means. The picture appeared online before the date it is claimed to be from.

What it doesn't mean. That it is fake. It may simply be older than it is presented to be.

What to do. Check the earliest copy we found.

What it means. No signs of manipulation were found.

What it doesn't mean. That it is authentic. A careful fake can pass.

What to do. Still check the source.

What it means. Not enough to go on, for example a very small or heavily compressed image.

What it doesn't mean. Anything either way.

What to do. Try a larger copy.