How to verify a fake degree certificate?

With the numerous ads about degree certificates and diplomas on social media platforms, you may find yourself surrounded by hundreds of offers that make you feel confused and unable to choose. But guess what! Although seeking to upgrade your degrees is a respectable self-taught approach, you should be vigilant not to fall prey to a fake degree certificate.

Degree certificate fraud is becoming a more and more common trend along with the big demand for post-graduate studies and professional diplomas. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the education system to go online, so, the issue of schools and universities’ credibility became more complicated in the absence or lack of regulatory checks by the authorities.

Day after day we hear about new businesses which call for granting degree certificates, it is not just that, however, we often hear about new designations for those degrees. What a fancy to know that you can obtain a doctorate for 100 $! Some may feel impressed about that but others don’t, anyway impulsing is always wrong.

Identifying the fake degree certificate from the genuine one

Spotting fake certificates isn’t easy as it seems, however basically, you can check closely the entity or institution you are seeking to get your degree from, as recently, a number of deemed institutions pretend to be affiliated with known universities. Moreover, For the purpose of confusing and duping prospective students, they slightly alter the names of real institutions.

It is no doubt that the issue of authenticity isn’t exactly out of internet-based education, actually, it has been there even before the traditional way of teaching faced a paradigm shift. However, it is becoming an overwhelming phenomenon.

How to save yourself from being cheated by fictitious institutions?

If you are merely looking to further your education, this sounds good, however, before reaching the stage of being under degree fraud, you should think twice when making up your mind about your desired degree. Here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid involving in this trap.

1- Devote some time for goggling

Despite feeling enthusiasm for a degree, no need to be in a rush, just take your time to check the authenticity of the institution you’d like to join and gather all the important details about it. You can use the Google advanced search tool to customize your search. For example, you may search for similar degrees granted by this institution in your country or other countries if it was an international one.

It is highly recommended to take a look at samples for certificates issued by the given institution to verify if they are original or photocopied and be sure that most of the genuine educational institutions will have some physical authentication features such as micro-text lines, UV invisible ink, watermark, security hologram, anti-scanning ink.

2- Formal Website and Email address

Identifying the formality of both the website URL and Email address of the institution is mandatory as respectable and authentic entities always tend to build a professional website and create a formal Email address. It is a main indicator for any institution to sound trustworthy.

Note that the authentic institutions’ domain name extensions should be .edu which can only be used if the website belongs to an authorized or licensed educational institute. Another domain extension, .org, suits large or well-established organizations. Therefore, .com is the last to consider.

3- Word of mouth is often effectual

“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.” A famous quote by Phil McGraw. So, if you feel how challengeable to make a decision about a degree certificate, make sure that often the best decision is not to decide alone.

You may be in need to consult others either experts or colleagues or ask a question on an online forum. Anyway, this may help you conquer your challenges when making up your mind, as Life is always determined by the decisions we make.

4- Attend some orientation sessions

 A number of trustworthy educational institutions tend to hold orientation sessions for students to explain and raise awareness about post-graduate studies degrees. It is a recommended piece of advice to attend it before moving ahead.

Of course, you will get to know more and more about the differences among degree certificates and how can they work the best for your future. Moreover, it would be a good opportunity to meet with others in the same situation, it is a kind of sympathy.

Accordingly, if you are planning to obtain a new degree, you should take this matter at your ease, consider it relaxingly, and make sure that every step you take literally shapes your future.