Degree fraud: the changing landscape and what employers can do about it

As the early careers labour market becomes increasingly digital, fast-paced and global, the risk of degree fraud has never been higher

Since launching in 2011, Hedd has supported employers with over 1.75 million degree verifications. As part of this, we're seeing new and more sophisticated challenges emerge in the verification space each day

In this article, we'll provide insights into the challenges affecting the industry and useful tips to prepare your organisation in this changing landscape.

(Need support with degree fraud, get in touch today.)  

The scale of the challenge

Recruitment fraud costs UK businesses an estimated £23.9 billion each year, including everything from identity theft to false qualifications claims, and it's on the rise. Recent research by Hedd, commissioned by YouGov, found that:

• 67% of large companies have seen an increase in fraudulent job applications, with AI tools seen as a key reason for this.
• 45% uncovered false qualifications claims.
• Yet only 52% of large businesses verify all academic credentials. Dropping to 37% of medium and just 29% of small organisations.

In an environment where hiring teams are already stretched and the average graduate role now receives over 140 applications, manual verification can feel like an extra step too many. But leaving it out comes with serious consequences, including reputational damage, high unnecessary costs, and the risk of unqualified employees in critical roles.

A global challenge that's growing fast

Degree fraud isn't just limited to the UK. With graduates working and studying across borders, the need for secure, standardised verification has become global. Hedd now handles enquiries from over 150 countries, collaborating with organisations in China, UAE, USA and South Africa to support trusted verification, share best practice and improve outcomes for graduates and employers.

This international growth reflects a wider shift towards trust and transparency in global hiring, which in turn protects both employers and genuine graduates.

Why verification still matters

For employers, verifying a candidate's qualifications isn't just about catching fraud, it's about protecting the integrity of the hiring process and ensuring that every candidate is assessed fairly.

With the increase of AI being used, leading to AI generated applications and more sophisticated counterfeit credentials, traditional checks like visual inspection of certificates are no longer enough. Fraudsters can easily produce convincing fake documents that look identical to genuine ones.

Services like Hedd allow employers to:

• Verify degrees directly with institutions.
• Identify fraudulent or uncredited providers.

What employers can do

Even though there are many challenges in the industry, there are actional steps every organisation can take to reduce risk and strengthen their hiring processes:

• Make verification standard. As our statistics show, not every organisation checks credentials. Treat degree verification as a core part of your recruitment process, not just a nice to have.
• Check certificate authenticity. Review certificates carefully (this Luminate article outlines seven things to look out for).  
• Go beyond certificates. Validate CV references, double check details, and be alert to inconsistencies across applications.
• Use trusted sources. Work with official verification services or accredited screening agencies.
• Double check institutions. More than 300 bogus providers have been identified by Hedd. Utilise the Hedd database for this.
• Consider AI or automation. Some tools can speed up the process and make it less of a manual effort. For example, many employers now use API integrations to embed verification into their processes.
• Be transparent. Let applicants know that degree verification is part of your process. This transparency can act as a deterrent to submitting false information.
• Keep learning. Follow the Hedd LinkedIn channel - we regularly share articles, host webinars and lead talks at events around degree fraud.
• Train your teams. Provide training so it's easier for staff to spot red flags.

Degree fraud isn't new, but the way it is committed is constantly evolving. By investing in robust verification practices, employers can protect their brand and reputation, safeguard against costly hiring mistakes and ensure fairness for genuine candidates.

If you're an employer that needs support with degree verification, reach out to our team today.

Further information

Qualification Fraud Awareness Week (17-21 November 2025) - join our exclusive webinar and listen to our employer focused podcast (releasing soon on Luminate).

• 7 ways to spot a fake degree certificate
• AI and degree fraud: a growing challenge for employers

Thanks for reading the latest newsletter. If you have any thoughts or feedback on future topics we should cover, please get in touch. You can find out more about what we do and how to advertise your opportunities with us on the Prospects website.

Notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 526 HRDM. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24-29 April 2025. The survey was carried out online.

Written by

Matthew West

Marketing communications executive

Prospects at Jisc