Can I black out transactions on a bank statement?

Often yes, especially for a letting agent. But some mortgage lenders want complete statements, so ask first.

Is a watermarked statement still accepted?

Usually, yes. The watermark is semi-transparent and every figure remains readable. You can lower the opacity if needed.

The website says my file is too big. What can I do?

Choose a maximum file size of 1, 2, 5 or 10 MB before downloading, and Cachety will keep each file under that limit.

Do I need to send payslips as PDFs?

Not necessarily. If you only have a photo of a paper payslip, Cachety can watermark the image, or combine several into one PDF.

How to send bank statements and payslips safely

Updated 11 October 2026

Letting agents, mortgage brokers and lenders often ask for three months of bank statements and your latest payslips. Here is how to share them without giving away more than you need to.

Example watermark

Proof of income – Homeway Lettings referencing – 11/10/2026

What these documents reveal

A bank statement shows far more than your balance. It shows your account number and sort code, where you shop, who you pay, and sometimes your address. A payslip shows your salary, your employer, your National Insurance number and your tax code from HMRC. In the wrong hands, this is useful for fraud. Account details can be used in convincing scam calls or emails, and combined with an ID copy they can help someone pretend to be you.

Watermark everything you send

Add a watermark with the purpose, the recipient and the date, for example ‘Proof of income – Homeway Lettings referencing – 11/10/2026’. The text is repeated across every page, so a single page cannot be cropped out and reused cleanly.

Black out what is not needed

Account numbers: often the last four digits are enough. Ask the recipient what they need.
Unrelated transactions: a landlord checking your rent affordability does not need to see your shopping.
National Insurance number on payslips, unless the recipient has specifically asked for it.
Anything about other people, such as a partner's name on a joint account, if it is not relevant.

Check first: some lenders need to see full, unedited statements, and changing them without asking can cause problems with your application. If in doubt, ask which details you may hide.

How to do it with Cachety

1Open cachety.com in your browser.
2Drop in your statements and payslips. PDF downloads from your online banking work perfectly.
3Type your watermark, or start from the Bank template, then add today's date.
4On the preview, draw boxes over the details you want to hide.
5Check each page, then download. Combine everything into one PDF in the order you choose, or download a ZIP.

Turn on the traceable copy option. It adds the date and a unique reference to each copy, and gives you a copy log to keep. If a statement ever leaks, you can tell which copy it was.

Your statements stay on your device the whole time. Nothing is uploaded, and the masked areas are truly removed from the file rather than just hidden under a box. A watermark cannot stop someone photographing a document, but it makes any misuse traceable and far less tempting.

Banks will never ask you to move money to a ‘safe account’. If you notice unfamiliar payments or think your details have been misused, call your bank on the number on the back of your card and report it to Action Fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Can I black out transactions on a bank statement?: Often yes, especially for a letting agent. But some mortgage lenders want complete statements, so ask first.
Is a watermarked statement still accepted?: Usually, yes. The watermark is semi-transparent and every figure remains readable. You can lower the opacity if needed.
The website says my file is too big. What can I do?: Choose a maximum file size of 1, 2, 5 or 10 MB before downloading, and Cachety will keep each file under that limit.
Do I need to send payslips as PDFs?: Not necessarily. If you only have a photo of a paper payslip, Cachety can watermark the image, or combine several into one PDF.