Here is why candidates falsify their reference letters

Fake document service providers are unceasingly growing in number. Counterfeiting of educational certificates is already something common nowadays, and the practice has developed to include falsifying reference letters (or playing).

Counterfeiters are increasingly becoming bold, and they openly advertise these services on social media platforms. Below is a counterfeiter who advertises his service in a webpage that belongs to a university in Indonesia. The counterfeiter provides a guarantee that his work looks very much similar to the genuine reference letter with a competitive price to attract his potential customers.  

Why would candidates opt for fake reference letters? Here are two major reasons: 1. They have exaggerated their last position on the resume, so the supporting documents must follow what has been written. 2. In some cases, employees often do not follow the termination procedure. Hence, some employers refuse to issue a reference letter due to non-compliance of the exit procedure. However, employees need the letter to withdraw the insurance and social security funds (BPJS) as well as a recommendation for prospective employers.  

It is strongly advised that employers check the authenticity of their candidate’s reference letter by conducting a reference check. A reference check is a tool that can substantiate a candidate’s information and provide additional information about their skills, work performances, and behaviors.

As a reference check takes many resources, energy, and time, it potentially slows down the company’s productivity if done incorrectly. In addition, employers should put a great deal of faith in the result. Therefore, it is highly recommended that employers hire a third party to conduct reference checks.

For more than 17 years, Integrity has been trusted by our clients to serve employment screening services, including reference checks as well as other checks.  Contact us to know more about our employment screening services and let Integrity be your partner in mitigating risks that may jeopardize your company.