You are in : Human Resources

Credentials Verification

MIE urges market vigilance amid increasing certificate fraud

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:21

Buy-in from tertiary education institutions, employers and authorities as to the fundamental importance of credentials verification and role of service providers is the only way the market can effectively tackle the issue of certificate fraud.

This is the view of education authorities and service providers who, together as stakeholders in this sector, face the challenge of increasing levels of certificate fraud.

Managed Integrity Evaluation (Pty) Ltd. (MIE), an established credentials verification services provider in South Africa, says the message to the market to not take certificates at face value has become increasingly relevant.

The company refers to several recent incidents involving the arrest of individuals related to fake certificates.

This month a Chinese couple were arrested after authorities discovered more than 1000 Unisa degree certificates at their residence, amongst other material. In a separate incident, an SABC investigation found that false Matric certificates, that closely resemble legitimate documents, can be purchased over the counter. The investigation led to the arrest of two people.

MIE has served in this market for over twenty years and continues to engage with employers and institutions to conduct background screening and other verification services.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is affiliated to MIE’s National Qualifications Register (NQRฎ), a database housing graduate records from all subscribed tertiary institutions. This register is implemented as a computerised relational database, and is accessed via a suite of specialised and integrated tools.

Nick Venter, Deputy Director: Applications, Admissions & Graduations at UFS, says certificate fraud is on the increase and the institution views this in a very serious light.

“We take it very seriously. Any instance of fraud is immediately followed up and action is taken via our management and security to prosecute,” he says.

According to Venter in a recent international conference on credential certification it was mentioned that 10%-15% of qualifications offered by employees to employers were fraudulent.

“Fake certificates that have the details of specific institutions can do extensive damage to the image and global reputation of that institution,” he adds.

Ina van der Merwe, CEO at MIE, 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 involving the fraudulent Matric certificates, 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 certificates 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,” Van der Merwe adds. “It is best to exercise caution and engage with us if there is any uncertainty.”