A fake diploma is a popular tool used by those who want to fool friends, colleagues or even potential employers. It can be used as a decoration for graduation ceremonies, a gag gift or filler in the background of a theatrical production.

The problem is that using a fake diploma for these purposes is illegal. And if you get caught, you could face legal charges.

Legal Uses

If a person loses their high school diploma, it can be a stressful experience. Luckily, most schools can replace lost diplomas, but it can take time and money.

If this is the case, a person might be tempted to buy a fake diploma to avoid having to go through all that hassle and expense. However, this isn’t legal.

The main reason people may be tempted to buy fake diplomas is that they want to boost their esteem. This can help a person feel more comfortable around others and get rid of the awkwardness.

If a person uses their fake diploma to gain access to goods or a position they would otherwise not have, this is considered fraud. It can lead to serious penalties, depending on the severity of the charges.

Fraudulent Uses

Many people use fake diplomas for dishonest reasons, such as to lie to a school or employer about their qualifications. This can be a dangerous practice, though.

Rather than getting an actual diploma, these people often go to a fake diploma mill to get a phony one that looks exactly like the real thing. This is called a diploma scam, and it has been around for years.

They then sell these fake degrees to potential employers, who may not realize that the diploma is bogus. They also use these diplomas to fraudulently obtain a nursing license and find employment in the health care industry, such as at a Veterans Affairs-run facility.

The FBI in Miami is investigating a scheme that funneled more than 7,600 fraudulent nursing diplomas from three Florida-based schools to co-conspirators outside the state, federal prosecutors say. A total of 25 people are charged in the case. Each faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on wire fraud counts.

Legal Issues

The legal issues surrounding fake diplomas are complex. They do not violate federal law, but they are illegal in most states if used to obtain goods or positions that you otherwise would not be qualified for.

The federal government has issued warnings to consumers about diploma mills, which sell certificates based on work or life experience and do not require any coursework. But this does little to stop them from thriving.

In fact, the issue of phony degrees has taken on such a national spotlight that even the state of Oregon has started to fight back.

However, it is also clear that many bogus degrees and diploma mills have moved to states that lack the tough accreditation and fraud laws that have fought them off in other places. Such is the case with Alabama, which has become a hotbed for these scams.

Authenticity

Whether you are applying for a job or enrolling in an academic program, it is essential that your diploma is authentic. However, there are many fake diplomas in the market.

Often, people use fake diplomas as a way to help tell their story. For example, they may order a fake degree certificate to use as a prop in a YouTube video.

They also use them to replace their real diplomas when they lose them due to a school closing or their records going missing.

The authenticity of a fake degree can be determined by its design, which is often made to look like a real one. Most contemporary certificates are modelled on their real world counterparts, but some still use old school styles, such as this extreme calligraphy from Canterbury University.