Resume Fraud: how to prevent it

negligent hiring, and resume fraud presents itself when an applicant lies about information on his or her resume. This information most commonly pertains to dates of employment, past accomplishments and skills, and enhancing job titles and responsibilities. There are many areas where resume fraud manifests itself which makes it all the more necessary to be cautious and to protect yourself as an employer. Degree fabrication and educational exaggeration often appear in cases of resume fraud. Online diploma mills, whereby a person is able to purchase an academic degree/diploma from an organization without recognition by official educational accrediting bodies, are specifically increasing cases of resume fraud. They are fake diplomas, pure and simple. In addition, many “diploma mills” provide toll-free phone numbers for their “students” to give prospective employers. This toll-free number will provide the prospective employer with grade, attendance, and sometimes even award information pertaining to the “student” as a ploy to legitimize the fictitious school. Checking to see if the school has a website is an effective way of determining whether the degree came from an accredited institution or a deviant diploma mill. Alternatively, the U.S. Department of Education lists accredited universities within the country. When checking up on this, make sure there is a normal progression of degree completion in regards to the applicant. For example, it is probably worth investing an  applicant’s claim to have received a doctorate degree immediately after receiving an undergraduate degree since a master’s degree usually falls in between the two former categories. As mentioned in the introduction, the act of enhancing job titles and responsibilities by applicants is very common within resume fraud. It usually occurs because the applicant doesn’t think that the prospective employer will bother to complete adequate reference checks. Since job responsibility lists can be very extensive, an applicant often thinks that slipping in a discreet job responsibility will go undetected even if the employer makes the reference call. Make sure to not only perform the reference checks but to also verify all claimed job responsibilities or accomplishments. Hopefully this brief summary of resume fraud is of assistance to you and your hiring process. If you would like any further information regarding employment checks, get in touch – we’ll be happy to help. And remember – a thorough hiring process done properly the first time will minimize future hiring complications, while contributing to an ethical and productive workplace.]]>