Using fake diplomas has consequences
What once took years to accomplish and thousands of dollars to
achieve can now be obtained in minutes and for as little as
$75.
Recently the Internet has become home to many businesses that
offer fake degrees “designed to look unequivocally real,” according
to the Web site DiplomaMakers.com. For a small membership fee,
customers can design their own degrees with a false major and
school of their choosing, and they will receive it through the mail
within days.
Sarah Urbanek, CSU art education and graphic design senior, has
worked hard for her degree and isn’t happy about students or
businesses that try to con their way through the college
process.
“I don’t care for it at all. It’s just a cheap way for people to
get an education,” Urbanek said. “It’s just a way for cheaters in
education and people trying to make a quick buck.”
Urbanek is also nervous that she will face more competition in
the job market after graduation because of interviewees with
inflated resumes, but she remains confident that she will be ahead
in the end.
“It makes it harder for me because I actually put the effort in
to get a degree; it’s just not fair for me,” Urbanek said. “But if
an employer asks me a question I am more likely to know the answer
than someone who paid for their degree. I just think they’ll get
caught.”
FBI spokesman Bill Carter said diploma mills are exceptionally
difficult to prosecute because each Web site offers some version of
a disclaimer explaining that although their degrees look
exceptionally real, they are not intended for actual professional
use. The disclaimer offered on FakeDegrees.com reads: “Warning:
These novelty certificates are intended for novelty purposes only.
They are not intended for and we take no responsibility for their
use in any matters perpetrating fraud or dishonesty.”
Carter said that an individual who purchases the diploma,
however, may get into trouble.
“From a law enforcement and prosecution standpoint the problem
we run into is that disclaimer; if you notice they’re all very
careful about saying that they are novelty items,” Carter said. “If
an individual purchases these degrees and uses it on a resume then
legal actions can be taken.”
Carter feels that the best way to correct the increasing problem
with diploma mills is a little more effort on the prospective
employers’ parts. For CSU graduates, employers can go to
studentclearinghouse.org to check out student credentials and to
make sure no information has been falsified.
Albert Powell, director of independent learning in Continuing
Education, said diploma mills have a long history, and the Internet
has only made things more difficult.
“There were diploma mills 50 years ago and there have always
been people who cheat,” Powell said. “I would just say that sooner
or later, you’re going to get caught and once you do you won’t get
hired.”
Morally, diploma mills may offer more consequences than just the
possibility of getting caught.
“On an ethical basis you’re being totally and completely
dishonest,” Powell said. “When a perspective employer finds that
out you can kiss that job goodbye.”
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