How to hide your account number in a bank statement

Cover every page, not just the first

On most statements the account number sits in the header on page one, but it often repeats in a page header or footer on every page, and sometimes inside transaction lines. Covering the first page and sending the rest is a common slip. The fix is a tool that searches every page for you.

1. Open Redact bank statement and drop in the PDF. Statements up to 50 pages work, including password-protected ones.
2. Bank account number and Customer ID / CIF are ticked by default, and every match on every page is covered.
3. Scroll through the pages. If a number appears in an unusual format, type it into Find and redact to cover every copy.
4. Export. Pages are rebuilt from pixels, so the number is gone from the text layer, not just hidden under a box.

Keeping the last 4 digits

Sometimes the recipient wants to see that the statement belongs to the right account, without the full number. In that case, untick the automatic field and drag a box over all but the last 4 digits yourself. Do this on every page where the number appears.

Some banks already print a partly masked number. Check whether the full number still appears somewhere else, such as a header, a cheque deposit line or an attached page.

Other numbers that identify your account

The account number isn't the only way back to your account. Depending on who will see the statement, consider hiding:

• Customer ID or CIF: identifies you across all your accounts at that bank.
• Card numbers: debit or credit card numbers can appear in card transaction lines.
• UPI IDs: they show up in UPI transfer descriptions, yours and other people's.
• IFSC and MICR: these identify the branch, not you. Keep them if the recipient needs to verify the account.
• Reference numbers: long transaction references, which are off by default.

Check before you send

Search the exported PDF for the account number. In a file from Blur Document nothing will come back, because the text layer is gone. For a statement someone else redacted, use the PDF Redaction Checker to see whether text is still sitting under the boxes. If the statement is for a visa application, also read Bank statement for visa: what to hide.