How to redact your utility bill for opening a bank account

Why the bank asks for your utility bill

Banks must verify your identity and address (KYC) before opening an account. A utility bill is a common proof of address; it shows your name, service address, account number, and amount due.

The bank needs your identity and address confirmed; for remote sign-ups, send redacted copies and finish verification through the bank’s secure channel. The catch: the account number with your name and address supports account-takeover and address fraud. That's why you should hand over a redacted copy — see the full utility bill redaction guide or what to redact for opening a bank account.

What to redact on your utility bill

• Account number It can be used to social-engineer the utility and take over the account.
• Any card or bank payment details Printed payment info enables direct fraud.
• Usage and personal details you don't need to show Minimize to just what proves your address.

What to keep visible (so it's still accepted)

• Your name
• Your service address
• The issue date, to prove the bill is recent

The watermark to add

Stamp a purpose watermark so the copy can't be reused beyond opening a bank account:

Redact your utility bill in 4 steps

1. Pick the photo. Open Cachera and choose the photo of your utility bill with the system picker — only that photo is read, never your whole library.
2. Black out the sensitive fields. Drag a black block over the account number and any card or bank payment details. On export those pixels are destroyed — there's no hidden layer to recover underneath.
3. Add a purpose watermark. Stamp "For this account application only" so the copy can't be reused beyond opening a bank account.
4. Export and send. Lay it out on A4, export a PDF, and share it with the bank. Everything happened on your iPhone — nothing was uploaded.

Is this OK to do?

FAQ

Will the bank still accept a redacted utility bill?

Yes. Keep your name and your service address visible so they can confirm what they need, redact only the sensitive fields, and add a clear "For this account application only" watermark. A watermarked, partially-redacted copy is normal, accepted practice.

What should I never show on a utility bill?

Hide account number, any card or bank payment details, usage and personal details you don't need to show. The account number with your name and address supports account-takeover and address fraud.

Can the black bars be removed from the copy later?

No. Cachera flattens the redaction into the image on export — there is no hidden layer beneath the black blocks, so the covered text cannot be recovered from the PDF.

Should I send the original utility bill instead?

Upload only through the bank’s official secure portal — never by email. Redact anything the form does not explicitly require. A redacted copy with a purpose watermark is usually the safer choice.