Studies on resume fraud vary by source, methodology, and region, but here’s a summary based on reliable reports:
- Approximately 10-20% of job applicants falsify educational credentials (e.g., claiming degrees they don’t have, exaggerating GPAs, or attending schools they didn’t). This is drawn from surveys like:
- A 2020 ResumeLab study: 9.2% of respondents admitted to lying specifically about education on their resumes.
- A 2017 Checkster report: Education was one of the top areas of deception, caught in about 15% of background checks.
- HireRight’s 2022 Employment Screening Benchmark Report: Around 13% of verification checks revealed discrepancies in education claims.
We have a blog post on this issue here. And an example of resume fraud below provided by Legalcheck.com
A solicitor has been struck off after making repeated false statements about his education and qualifications on his CV, including wrongly claiming to have obtained a first-class law degree in an attempt to secure a role at a City law firm.
The individual, 39, who qualified as a solicitor in 2020 and was working as legal counsel at Aviva Insurance until his dismissal in 2023, submitted various versions of his CV containing what the tribunal found to be “false” details about his education, qualifications and work experience while applying for associate roles.
When questioned by the firm, Patel produced a second version of his CV (which also contained “untrue” statements) and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the discrepancies. The offer of employment was subsequently withdrawn.
In November 2022, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs reported the indvidiual to the Solicitors SRA, raising concerns that he had submitted “false and misleading” information in CVs on more than one occasion.
He was asked to provide both the CV originally sent to the recruitment agency and an accurate version reflecting his true background. This ‘accurate’ CV also contained inaccuracies, and Patel was eventually dismissed in April 2023.
His claims ranged from holding a first-class law degree from Aston University (though he obtained a 2:2 from Birmingham City University), to overstating his grade on the Bar Professional Training Course, and claiming he attended a private school when he was in fact state educated. This claim was disproved by a “Google search” showing “the schools are very separate”.
In its judgment, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said his conduct involved “repeated” and “deliberate” dishonesty over a sustained period and towards multiple parties, including recruiters and prospective employers.
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs since 1999. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. To learn more about the rights of employees who test positive for marijuana, Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.336.0287 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at Randisiandassociates.com
