Avoiding 3 Common Digital Signing Mistakes

3 Common Digital Signing Mistakes header

Electronic signatures have become indispensable. But are you sure your digital signing process is truly secure? Many assume all e-signing platforms are created equal, which isn’t the case.

We recently hosted a webinar, “Signed, Sealed, and Verified,” to shed light on three common pitfalls people face with digital signing and how to steer clear of them. 

Pitfall 1: “Who Actually Signed This?” – The Identity Crisis 

Imagine a crucial document signed, only for you to discover later it wasn’t the intended person. Identity theft and unauthorized signatures are serious risks in the digital realm. We’ve heard stories, like a husband forging his wife’s signature on a mortgage extension, leading to significant legal headaches. 

So, how do you guarantee the identity of your signer? It’s all about leveraging the security features of your e-signing platform: 

  • Email and SMS Passcodes: These are your basic lines of defence, requiring the signer to have access to their email or phone. 
  • ID Verification: A step up, this involves scanning government IDs like passports or driver’s licenses and using biometrics (like a selfie comparison) to confirm identity and detect forged documents. 
  • Video Confirmation: This is the gold standard. The signer performs a unique action on video (e.g., a smile, a head turn) which is then stored with the document. This provides undisputable evidence of who signed, offering rock-solid proof if ever needed in court. The best part? Many platforms, like ours, offer this critical feature at no extra cost. 

Pitfall 2: “Has This Been Tampered With?” – The Document Integrity Dilemma 

Do you assume a document remains unchanged once it’s digitally signed? Think again. A document’s integrity can be compromised after signing, rendering it invalid. We’ve seen instances where banks “fixed” a signed document, like an account number error, after it was signed, unknowingly invalidating the original agreement. 

A truly secure e-signing platform “seals” a document once it’s signed. This means any subsequent changes will be clearly flagged. You’ll see a green tick confirming its validity, but if any alteration occurs, that tick disappears, clearly indicating a change.

This immediate notification of tampering is vital. It protects both parties and maintains trust. The beauty of it? You don’t need a special account to verify; a standard PDF reader will show if the document has been altered. 

Pitfall 3: “Where Did I Save That?” – The Storage Trap 

Leaving signed documents in your email inbox is a common habit, but it’s a major pitfall. It’s an accessibility nightmare, a security risk, and a compliance hazard. 

  • Accessibility: If a colleague is on holiday and signed documents are stuck in their inbox, your business continuity grinds to a halt. 
  • Security: Inboxes are prime targets for hackers. A breach of sensitive signed documents can lead to reputational damage, legal reporting requirements, and a massive loss of customer trust. 
  • Audits: Failing to securely store documents can lead to audit failures and loss of crucial certifications, further eroding your organization’s credibility. 

The solution lies in integrations with secure document management systems like SharePoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, or Content Manager. These integrations allow you to send documents for signing directly from their secure storage location and have them automatically returned there once signed. This ensures: 

  • Centralized and Secure Storage: Your important documents are safe from prying eyes and readily accessible to authorized personnel. 
  • Automated Workflows: No more manual saving or worrying about where documents are. 
  • Audit Readiness: A complete and verifiable trail of every document’s journey. 

 

Sign Smarter, Not Harder 

While it might sound like a lot to manage, a robust e-signing solution integrates seamlessly into your existing environment. It’s designed to be easy to use while providing enterprise-grade security. It’s about protecting your organization from identity fraud, document tampering, and insecure storage, ensuring every “Signed, Sealed, and Verified” document truly holds its weight

What steps are you taking to prevent these common digital signing mistakes in your organization? 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team – we’re here to help you find that perfect fit!