How to Reduce Travel Risk, Avoid Hiring Frauds, and Select Experienced Protection

March, 2010     Issue No. 2

This issue touches on three topics that have been very prominent in the news:    Traveling in Mexico - Chris Gipson, an Executive Protection agent experienced in protecting executives on international trips, provides safety advice when traveling in dangerous countries such as Mexico .  Fraudulent Resumes - Greg Kirsch, Director of Investigations and Pre-Employment Screening, explains how diploma and employment mills work. Screening and Agent Selection - Christine Tumolo, Operations Manager, discusses U.S. Security Care's careful screening and selection process.   If you have a security related question of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact us.  If there is a topic you would like to read about in our newsletter, write to us at piersond@usscinc.com.   Richard Wolfson President U.S. Security Care, Inc.

 PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING: WATCH FOR FRAUDULENT DEGREES AND WORK EXPERIENCE  

Greg Kirsch, U.S. Security Care's Director of Investigations and Pre-Employment Screening, talks about the growing trend of business people of all levels using diploma and employment mills to fill holes in their resume.

What is a diploma mill and how does U.S. Security Care insure that the employee's degree is legitimate?

Kirsch:  A "diploma mill" is actually a term that is only legally defined in a few states.  Generally speaking, it is an entity that does not have legally recognized degree granting authority.  They exist both nationally and internationally, though recent studies show the United States to be the "Diploma Mill" capital of the world. 

"These entities will provide a "degree" to an individual for a fee.  Some require the completion of an internal course curriculum, typically online, while others will simply send the customer a document that to the naked eye resembles any other degree from a recognized institution.   

Kirsch:  "No, they span all backgrounds.  There have been several cases of high-level individuals and doctors referencing "diploma mill" education credentials on their resume.  We also see them utilized by individuals applying for entry level positions.  They span all degree-required positions and no industry is exempt from the threat of this growing issue."    

What is an employment mill and how does U.S. Security Care confirm whether or not the company name on the resume is legitimate?

Kirsch: "An employment mill is very similar to a diploma mill, though the industry landscape is a little different.  An "employment mill" will allow a job seeker to create a fictitious employment history for a fee and will then provide the applicant with a contact number for any future verification efforts.  When a pre-employment screening is performed, the intention is that the screener will call the provided number and an individual on the other end representing the HR/Records Department" will look up the applicant's information and verify their "past experience".

"To combat this, U.S. Security Care will research any applicant provided employer independently and contact that company through their officially published contact information.  Once contact is made, we then only verify employment history though official HR or payroll department records, or for smaller companies, we will utilize the Office Administrator, Operations Manager or President/Vice President. 

"While applicants often provide contact numbers for their past employers, and they are often valid, we like to ensure that we are obtaining the official contact information through a non-biased means and then report accordingly.  We will view incorporation records when applicable to verify the company's existence as a valid entity."

Are there any red flags one should look for to tell the employer that the company may not exist?

Kirsch: "Online forums discussing the company's authentication, a lack of published company listings or physical address, and cheaply designed or non-operational websites (depending on the industry) can offer some insight as to the validity of the company.  However, a company that no longer exists may display many similarities to the ones I just listed, so those are not indicative of a "mill" exclusively. 

"Realizing that the employer may be a "mill" often comes down to the investigators/researchers experience and investigative instincts before, during, and after contacting the entity, as new ones are being established every day."

Are fraudulent education and employment histories typically utilized by a specific level of candidate or in a specific field?

Kirsch: "Unfortunately, no.  There is no specific area to target when trying to detect this fraud.  It spans all positions, walks of life, and experience levels.  That is why it is beneficial to re-screen individuals receiving internal promotions.  The employee's credentials may have passed an initial screening 10 years ago, but the re-screen may reveal that the employee used a "mill", which is now revealed based on the heightened industry awareness."