Facts and figures
The volume of counterfeited training certificates, diplomas, official documents, property titles, birth certificates, death certificates and more is constantly growing.
There are many examples of the proliferation of non-authentic legal documents — from the lack of legally registered land titles, to the continued increase in forged identity documents and to the proliferation of forged birth certificates.
legally registered worldwide
selling fake degrees worldwide
issued in the US are from diploma mills
Numerous cases of fraud have been reported in relation to the misuse of government-issued certificates, such as those issued for birth, death or marriage.
- Approximately 100,000 fake degrees are sold each year in the United States alone, about one-third of which are graduate degrees.
- 11,578 cases of real estate fraud reported in 2021, totaling more than USD$350 million.
- 45,622 children were reported to be born in Puerto Rico in 2008, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. But more than 860,000 certified copies of birth certificates were issued.
Although birth certificates were originally intended for the sole purpose of birth registration, they are now used extensively for employment purposes and to obtain benefits or other documents used for identification (including drivers’ licences, social security and passports).
Academic institutions worldwide under increasing pressure
Universities and training organisations need to preserve their brand image and the authenticity of their alumni's diplomas in the face of an increase in forged certificates/diplomas and the emergence of bogus educational establishments.
Degree fraud remains a risk for institutions unless they implement trusted verification measures which protect brand value and instill confidence among the graduate community and employers.
Notary fraud is more common than many people think. Valuable documents are sometimes notarised without the knowledge or consent of the holder. Some countries lack a proper system to verify the legitimacy of notary services, leaving people at risk of fraud and undermining the legitimacy of the notary service industry as a whole.
How can
certified
document issuers
protect
their reputation?