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November 13, 2024
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Verification Chronicles: The Double Degree Deceiver

What’s worse than someone lying about their degree? Someone lying about having a double degree!

 
In this instalment of Verification Chronicles, we’re back in the academic realm, where candidates frequently embellish or outright fabricate qualifications, hoping their false claims slip through unnoticed. Academic fraud and credential misrepresentation are common, and dual degrees -due to their impressive nature and complex structure—are particularly tempting to exaggerate.
 
Dual degree programmes, on paper, can sound almost too good to be true. Rather than studying for two separate qualifications, these programmes combine courses, allowing students to earn two academic degrees in a reduced timeframe. Often delivered collaboratively between two universities, this means students receive an award from each institution. It’s understandable, then, that any CV featuring a dual degree would get a significant boost in credibility and appeal.
 
And that’s exactly what Eloy* was banking on with his CV claim:
 

 Any recruiter reviewing this would assume Eloy had successfully completed the programme. The language left no room for doubt: it was presented as a finalised qualification. Some applicants will insert “Not completed” or “(Ongoing)” alongside incomplete qualifications to imply life experience or professional growth. In Eloy’s case, however, no such qualifiers appeared. Not only was a GPA listed, but it even indicated top marks. Clearly, this wasn’t meant to appear as anything but “earned.”
 
Yet the two universities involved had a different perspective.
 
Bocconi University was willing to confirm Eloy’s attendance, but they stopped short of verifying that he’d received an official award - an anomaly, given their consistent reporting style across hundreds of verifications we’ve completed. Sensing something amiss, we sought clarification. Their response revealed a truth Eloy’s CV didn’t hint at:
 
“The student attended only the first year of our DD Programme and then interrupted his studies at Bocconi to pursue another master’s degree at a different university.”
 
So, perhaps ESSEC - Bocconi’s partner in the dual degree programme - could clarify? Given Bocconi’s own course description indicated that the second year took place at ESSEC, it seemed logical that they might provide the missing information.
 
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But ESSEC wasn’t as forthcoming.
 
Just as it appeared that Eloy might escape unscathed, our team had an idea. We reached out to Bocconi’s Course Director to connect with their contacts at ESSEC, hoping for insights that would close the case.

Fake CV
 
The approach paid off when Bocconi replied:
 
“My colleague at ESSEC has written to me this information for your reference: 
 
‘Dear Alicia*, 
 
He has been removed from the DD programme as well, as he couldn’t complete the second year. He validated only one semester in Singapore but did not graduate from ESSEC.’”
 
Once again, another CV myth was busted.
 
Claims on CVs are particularly prone to manipulation. For many candidates, a CV is the first opportunity to make an impression, meaning it’s also their first chance to distort, exaggerate, or even fabricate achievements to secure an interview. It’s the moment they control the narrative.
 
This case also highlights the risk of setting a start date before completing thorough background checks. Every employer’s risk tolerance varies, as do the recruitment dynamics for each role. Senior hires and executives typically don’t start until their screening is complete due to the importance of their positions. At junior levels, however, screenings may run concurrently with employment. When discrepancies emerge post-start, the impact is considerable, often leading to difficult decisions, especially if training has already commenced and the new hire has started integrating with the team.
 
In The Counterfeit Credential, we discussed how the frequency of exposed lies can leave one jaded in this line of work. Yet cases like this remind us of the significant role verification plays, despite the deceptive tactics involved. These discoveries underscore the importance of our service and the impact we have on creating transparent, trustworthy workplaces.
 
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It’s always fascinating to see how far some will go to present their version of the truth. Thankfully, it’s our job to get to the bottom of it.
 
In Verification Chronicles, every story unearths the many layers of truth within the professional world. Stay tuned as we continue to expose the facts behind the claims—one CV at a time.
 
*Name changed for confidentiality

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October 22, 2024
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Important Customer Update: Changes to DBS Fees from December 2024

There are upcoming changes to the fees for DBS checks, which will take effect from 2nd December 2024, pending approval in Parliament on 4th November 2024. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has announced these increases to ensure their services continue to operate effectively and efficiently. While these fee changes reflect adjustments by the DBS, we would like to assure our valued customers that Verifile’s own administrative fees will not be increasing as a result.
 

What Are the New Fees?


From 2nd December 2024, the new indicative DBS fees will be as follows:

  • Enhanced DBS Check: £49.50 (from £38.00)

  • Standard DBS Check: £21.50 (from £18.00)

  • Basic DBS Check: £21.50 (from £18.00)

  • DBS Update Service: £16.00 (from £13.00)

 
Importantly, DBS checks for volunteers will remain free of charge.
 
Unfortunately, these changes represent a significant shift in the costs of DBS checks and will affect the costs associated with DBS checks for your organisation. It is important for us to reiterate that these price increases are being introduced by the DBS and not by Verifile.
 

Why Are DBS Fees Increasing?

 
The DBS has outlined several key reasons for these price increases, all aimed at maintaining their high-quality services:

  1. Full Cost Recovery:

DBS fees are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect the actual cost of delivering services. The DBS explained that this fee adjustment is necessary to continue providing value for both customers and the public purse through full cost recovery.

  1. Modernisation of IT Systems:

The DBS explained that it is making significant investments in upgrading and replacing its legacy IT platforms. These updates will improve the efficiency and accuracy of the DBS checking process, ensuring that services keep pace with technological advancements and customer needs.

  1. Maintaining High-Quality Services:

To continue delivering reliable, accurate checks and maintain high-quality service levels, the DBS explained that it needs to ensure that its fees adequately cover the costs of operation. This fee increase is intended to support ongoing improvements while safeguarding service standards.
 

No Changes to Verifile’s Admin Fees

 
Please note that while DBS fees are increasing, Verifile’s own administrative fees remain unchanged. Our goal is to continue providing reliable and cost-effective services to our customers without passing on unnecessary costs. The fee changes are driven by DBS, and we are simply passing through the new rates with no adjustments to our own service charges.
 

What Happens Next?


The new fees are expected to be finalised once the proposal is laid in Parliament on 4th November 2024. We will keep our customers informed with any further updates regarding the implementation of these changes. For any questions or concerns about how these price increases might affect your organisation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our teams for personalised support.

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October 14, 2024
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Expanding Our ATS Integration Portfolio: Welcoming Ashby, Bullhorn, Greenhouse, and Eploy

In our ongoing commitment to enhance your recruitment processes and deliver unparalleled value, we are excited to announce the addition of four new pre-built and reusable ATS integrations to our portfolio: Ashby, Bullhorn, Greenhouse, and Eploy. These join our extensive range of existing ATS integrations which include Avature, eAcru, Harbour, PageUp, TeamTailor, Tribepad and Workable. Together, these integrations continue to provide the flexibility and efficiency our customers expect from Verifile.

Ashby: Modern Solutions for Modern Hiring
Ashby combines applicant tracking with powerful analytics and reporting. It helps growing companies make better hiring decisions and optimises recruitment workflows.

Bullhorn: Optimise Your Recruitment Workflow
Bullhorn is known for its intuitive interface and automation capabilities. It enhances productivity and ensures compliance, making it ideal for recruitment agencies and enterprises.

Eploy: Comprehensive Talent Acquisition
Eploy provides a complete recruitment platform designed to manage every aspect of the talent acquisition process. It helps organisations attract, engage, recruit, and onboard the best talent efficiently.

Greenhouse: Elevate Your Hiring Strategy
Greenhouse offers a holistic hiring platform with seamless integration of over 450 tools. It maximises recruitment ROI and reduces time-to-fill.

Why These Integrations Matter

Adding Ashby, Bullhorn, Greenhouse, and Eploy to our suite of integrations underscores our commitment to providing you with the best tools in the industry. These integrations are designed to enhance your existing workflows, provide valuable insights, and ultimately, help you attract and retain top talent more efficiently.

Here’s a quick reminder of how Verifile’s ATS integration can transform your screening process:

  • Effortless Order Placement: Place orders within your ATS in just a few clicks, streamlining your workflow and eliminating redundant tasks.
  • Streamlined Progress Tracking: Gain real-time insights into each step of the screening process for full transparency and efficiency.
  • Instant Final Report Retrieval: Access comprehensive reports directly within your ATS, bypassing the need for multiple platforms or email notifications.

For a deeper understanding of the benefits of choosing Verifile, visit our Why Verifile Page.

Join Us on This Exciting Journey

We are thrilled to offer these new integrations and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on your recruitment processes. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand our integration portfolio, adding even more value to our customers.

Curious about these new integrations or interested in a broader discussion about how Verifile can support your recruitment goals? Please reach out to your Verifile Customer Success Manager or our dedicated Customer Service Team. We’re here to help you navigate these new opportunities and ensure you're making the most out of your ATS and Verifile investments.

Explore these integrations and see how they can transform your hiring strategy. For more details, contact our sales team on 01234 608090.

 

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