According to research by the UK’s top fraud prevention service Cifas in the past 12 months, nearly a fifth of UK citizens (18%) have lied in their CVs or job applications.
The latest Fraud Behaviours Survey reveals that falsifying CV credentials and providing false information on a work application is the second “most common” type of fraud committed by a first-party (when knowingly presenting false information or misrepresenting one’s identity for financial or other material gain). In addition, one in seven respondents (14%) thought it was “reasonable” to claim a 2:1 in order to get a job when they actually failed their final year at university.
Today, 3 February is ‘National Sickie Day.’ This is when UK employees are most likely to miss work due to illness. Cifas Fraud Behaviours Research shows that people are willing to lie, even if they have legitimate reasons.
When asked what they would have done if they discovered that their colleague had lied about their qualifications, respondents’ responses were mixed. One third (33%) of respondents said they would report it anonymously to HR, while 36% would not raise the issue. The remaining 31% were unsure ‘.
Rachael Tiffen, Director of Learning and Public Sector said that first-party fraud was not a minor offence. It erodes the trust of those who are involved and can have serious consequences, such as criminal charges and possibly damaging career prospects.
When someone lies on their CV in order to get a job, it will not make them stand out. They may instead be seen as an “insider” threat – someone who is dishonest and could deceive others at work.
Dishonest employees not only put their employers at risk, but also customers, co-workers, and other stakeholders. Organisations should conduct thorough checks throughout the employee’s life cycle to identify and reduce fraud risks .”
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