Is it Real? 4 Ways to Identify a Fake Degree Certificate

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It is shocking to discover how many fake degrees are actually out there and they are becoming a massive global problem! Buying a fake degree certificate is only a small part of the problem; those who already have degrees are also faking their academic transcripts and adding or altering their qualifications on their CVs.


Fake credentials such as fake degree certificates are a growing issue in South Africa. Just a year or two ago the country had a large increase in the number or fraudulent qualifications reported and those were just the fake credentials reported, the real number is probably through the roof.

As a business or university,  it can be worrying, who amongst your employees was actually telling the truth about their qualifications?

Here’s how you can identify if it is a fake degree certificate.

DESIGN

Always inspect the design of the degree and be aware that a genuine certificate will be embossed with a watermark visible under a light. The signature should also not be printed but written in ink without any silly spelling mistakes.

LANGUAGE

The language and grammar on a degree certificate should always be studied thoroughly. There should be no spelling errors or incorrect order of words such as “Cape Town University” instead of “The University of Cape Town.”

LOCATION

Always double check the location of the university to confirm that it is a genuine institute. By using Google maps you’ll be able to locate the address provided and spot any fake universities.

TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS

By simply following the steps provided you’ll be saving yourself a lot of hassles in the long run. 

Should you need some assistance please do not hesitate to contact our OSINT department about our Due Diligence processes on 021 110 0422 or email contact@osint.co.za. Alternatively, you can email chris@tcgforensics.co.za for more details on how our pre-employment due diligence can help YOU get the right candidate!

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