Hide an IBAN in a PDF
To hide an IBAN in a PDF, it has to disappear from the file, not just sit under a black rectangle. Sumi spots valid IBANs, lets you choose which ones to hide, and redraws each page so nothing is left underneath.
What to hide around an IBAN
On bank details, an invoice or a statement, the IBAN rarely travels alone:
- the IBAN itself, in full;
- the BIC and the branch name, if you don't want to name your bank;
- the account holder's name and address;
- card numbers (Sumi recognises them if they pass the Luhn test);
- direct debit mandate references.
If you send your bank details to get paid, keep the IBAN visible: that is what it is for. Hide it when it happens to sit on a document meant for something else.
How to do it with Sumi
- Drop the PDF into the app. Everything happens on your device.
- In the findings list, open the IBAN group. Sumi only lists numbers whose checksum is right, which avoids false alarms.
- Check the Card number, Name and Address groups too.
- Sumi does not flag the BIC: type it into "Redact a word or phrase everywhere" if you want it hidden.
- Turn on Preview, then Redact & download.
How to check the result in 10 seconds
In the downloaded file, press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) and search for the first four characters of the IBAN. No result: the text no longer exists. Try to copy a line too: nothing copies.
Limits
An IBAN split over two lines or badly printed can fail the checksum test. Look at the page in Preview and use Draw box if needed.
Questions
Isn't a black rectangle in a PDF editor enough?
Often not: the text stays under the rectangle and can be copied. Sumi paints the black into the image of the page.
Is my IBAN sent anywhere?
No, the document does not leave your browser.
What if the document is scanned?
Sumi reads the text of the scan on your device, then runs the same detection.