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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help with possible qualification fraud?

332 replies

Shambu · 27/07/2019 11:38

I've discovered a relation of a close family member is promoting himself to his clients as having an Hons degree he does not have.

I've known him for 20 years, and his qualification was a much lower status one which he didn't finish.

It is featured on his email on all communication with clients.

How would I find out? I contacted the institution to find out if they offered that course at the time, but I cannot make a request for specific information without his being informed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shambu · 27/07/2019 13:45

No need for you to give it a special little shove to help it off the cliff is there?

Not sure why people keep making this assumption.

I don't think my sister is accepting it - more like she's in denial and sticking her head in the sand.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 27/07/2019 13:47

Jakers I am beginning to wonder how many folk are going around with false qualifications reading these posts. Those of you saying keep out of it, mind your own business, are you faking your cvs, if not do you not realise if things go tits up in your life, you might end up in queer street if you need to get your money back.

HappyHammy · 27/07/2019 13:50

If he's lying and your sister knows and is going along with it then it's her problem really and something she will have to deal with if he is discovered and loses his job. It's nothing to do with you, it's a shitty thing to lie but his employer should have checked his qualifications and he should have produced evidence. I'd keep out of it and wouldn't offer any support if and when it goes pear shaped if everyone is willingly involved in dishonesty. Let those involved deal with any fall out.

SavingSpaces2019 · 27/07/2019 13:52

If someone finds out then he could lose his job and be blacklisted from the profession. This impacts my sister directly
So your sister is enabling this to continue?
She isn't innocent - i bet she knows he's being dodgy.
She seems happy profiteering from deceiving customers so she's just as bad as him.
As for impacting her directly - maybe she ought to get a job?
If she has one then him losing his isn't that big an issue.
She obviously isn't worried about that because she condones his deception.

Original poster
Shambu · 27/07/2019 13:56

So if it doesn't actually affect what he does (and it's not something that could hurt someone) i'd mind my own business tbh

It's a moot point. I don't really know how much it could affect someone. Some advice he will be giving to clients who are under the impression he is trained in them field when he's not.

The only time I know of it was actually dangerous was when he advised my sister to do x. When she mentioned the advice to a friend in the field but much more highly qualified (7 year + training) he was appalled and pointed out that x could have very, very serious consequences. And she absolutely must not do x under any circumstances.

That was quite some time ago and maybe he learned from it. I really don't know.

OP posts:
BlackCatSleeping · 27/07/2019 13:57

So, your question is how do you find out for sure?

But, then what do you plan to do with that information?

I actually think you should just drop an anonymous note to his work and let them check. If he has the qualification, then no problem.

If he doesn't, then he needs to face the consequences of that.

Original poster
Shambu · 27/07/2019 13:57

the not them field ^

OP posts:
Teaandchocolatecake · 27/07/2019 13:59

You are being a busybody. His actions have no impact on you so there is no need to stick your nose in.

If your sister knows but is in denial then that's her business.

In all honesty it sounds as though you don't like him and are actually trying to create problems for them (in the hope your sister leaves him maybe?)

Whatever your motivation, this is nothing to do with you.

MRex · 27/07/2019 13:59

If you still won't explain what the role is then it'll be very hard to help you.

Original poster
Shambu · 27/07/2019 14:03

So your sister is enabling this to continue?

Sad to say but this is true. She's turning a blind eye. It's baffling.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shambu · 27/07/2019 14:07

But, then what do you plan to do with that information?

I think all I can do is find out for sure. Address it with my sister and say he claims he's qualified in x but he actually failed to qualify in y.

Just knowing that means I'm colluding in the deception not just her.

Talk through the potential consequences for her and her family so she has to actually think about it.

And then leave it up to her.

If the ever shit hits the fan I'll know I couldn't reasonably have done more.

OP posts:
pisspants · 27/07/2019 14:08

someone I went to uni with did this. I wonder if it's the same person? He made a fake results sheet for his parents benefit so they were non the wiser but I am not sure how he blagged graduation day!

justasking111 · 27/07/2019 14:09

Someone copied my qualifications, even sent in my work examples which I had lent to her. She got fantastic jobs, went to USA on the back of my degree, however, what she did had no economical effect on anyone so I let it be. To be honest I only found out from her ex. years later. One employer did catch her out checking out her masters degree at Manchester which was mine.

I would have ratted her out in a minute if I thought she could hurt anyone.

I do wonder how many folk are working that have pilfered someone elses hard efforts at school, uni. though.

NoBaggyPants · 27/07/2019 14:09

You're not helping by not telling us what his job is. You don't even seem to know if the degree is an essential requirement.

Screamanger · 27/07/2019 14:10

After a while experience outclasses qualifications. So it probably doesn’t matter

Jaxhog · 27/07/2019 14:14

If it's financial, it could do a lot of harm to innocent people.

If he's claiming a degree you don't think he has, then you can ask the University to check. Ditto, to membership of a professional institute. If you ask, and they check, chances are they will follow up themselves.

I would. Too many people think it's ok to fake'qualifications. It's an insult to those of us who actually worked hard to get them legitimately.

Jaxhog · 27/07/2019 14:16

You are being a busybody. His actions have no impact on you so there is no need to stick your nose in.

"All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke.

RubberTreePlant · 27/07/2019 14:19

Wouldn't you be better off talking to your DSis about leaving the 'unpleasant' lying man?

Worry about the fraud later?

IamtheOA · 27/07/2019 14:20

Can you give more of an idea of what he does?

If its accounting, planning, surveying etc at a reasonable level of responsibility, then he'd have to meet their eligibility standards.
The point of these bodies is quality assurance.

Is he part of a professional body? If not, then is it because he does not hold much responsibility?

If not, then perhaps it doesn't matter?

Also, may professions have more than one " way in".... perhaps he took some professional exams, or qualifications.

I agree that you really need to step back.
You may not have the whole story, but even if you do, your involvement will hasten his downfall, which is what you say you are trying to avoid...?

IamtheOA · 27/07/2019 14:23

Just knowing that means I'm colluding in the deception not just her

Is it actually a matter of National Security?

grumiosmum · 27/07/2019 14:25

Sounds as if he's an accountant.

But you don't need an Cons degree to be an accountant, although you need to have passed the professional exams to be a member of a recognised body.

HappyHammy · 27/07/2019 14:27

Did he actually study for a degree but not get a Masters

poopypants · 27/07/2019 14:35

So he's been working in the field for 20 years? I think you over imagine what I'm learnt in a degree. Most lawyers don't study a law degree. They do something random and then do s 1 year conversion. They then work and do industry exams. Not having done a law degree will have next to no impact on his ability. Most accountants don't study accountancy at university. They study random things at uni and then work for accountancy firms learning and studying as they go. Other than medical professionals, there are few roles that would rely on the individual having studied that specific thing at uni. Most learning happens once you are in the job. Do you honestly think 3 years ages 18-21 equip people for all the knowledge required? Most people study random stuff like history or archaeology or modern languages and then get into firms as a graduate. Move on. It's not your issue.

TinyGhostWriter · 27/07/2019 14:37

All you know for definite is that he failed to qualify in y.

He claims to have a qualification in x.

People cancomplete qualifications part time through distance learning, and credits can sometimes be transferred towards a different course.

Why not casually ask him when he completed this degree?

cdtaylornats · 27/07/2019 14:39

If after 20 years he isn't qualified to do the job I'd be astounded. Most degrees are only relevant for a few years.

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