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Matriculants

Fake matric certificates on the rise

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:52

According to an SABC online report two people have been arrested following the investigation and the situation has education authorities concerned.

“For good reason” says Ina van der Merwe, CEO at Managed Integrity Evaluation (Pty) Ltd. (MIE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ideco Group and established credentials verification services provider in South Africa.

Van der Merwe says that not only is it getting easier for people to acquire false documents, the technology used to falsify documents is becoming more sophisticated.

“With some cash and a little determination, it is quite straightforward to acquire an authentic looking certificate. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the public to spot fake documents without making use of a background screening expert,” she says.

In this most recent incident the fake matriculation certificate number was actually registered in official records. The fraudsters then used this number on the forged certificates that they produced. The names on the certificates did not match the names that are linked to this certificate number.

“The verification of matriculation certifications is crucial, particularly at this time of the year when examinations are nearly finished and the market will soon be flooded with recently matriculated job-seekers,” says Van der Merwe.

MIE works in partnership with Umalusi to make sure that anything that is amiss on a qualification claim is brought to light. Being vigilant in conducting background checks means that even someone who tries to get away with lying about their results on their matric certificate will be found out.

MIE is determined, with the input of education authorities and institutions, to root out fraud and ensure that those who have put in the 12 years of hard work to obtain genuine certification truthfully are given every advantage possible.