Avoid receiving a fake diploma

Seeking employment without a high school diploma is nearly impossible in this day and age. It is also required if you have plans of entering college or the military. Last month, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a Federal Court Judge in Florida issued a temporary restraining order against two organizations that the FTC has identified as “diploma mills.”

A diploma mill is a fake online school that promises students a diploma with ease. There are two types of diploma mills. The first type is a “school” that sells degrees for cash. Generally, both the customer and business know this is not a legitimate way to get a degree. The other type of diploma mill is a “school” that pretends to be a real school. The students are told they can graduate and earn an “official” diploma by taking a basic multiple choice test and paying $200-300. These schools are out for the money, not to provide education.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to watch out for these red flags:

• The diploma is awarded based on life experience, not work. The business will require you to list personal experiences rather than professional or educational experience to obtain the diploma.

• The school claims to be accredited but is not accreditor approved by the Department of Education.

• The website guarantees a diploma within a short amount of time. A diploma is not awarded overnight.

•There are no staff names on the website.

• The advertising tactics are pushy. They often use sales invasive tactics such as pop ups or telemarketing phone calls. In these tactics, they focus on the ease of obtaining a diploma.

• Prices are stated per diploma instead of per credit hour. A diploma is earned through taking classes that cost money based on how many credit hours they are.

• Addresses for administration buildings are P.O. Boxes or suite numbers.

• The school has no phone number.

It is important to always check that a business is legitimate before making a purchase or commitment.

There are programs that offer diplomas based on criteria that promote education. Before making a purchase, take all measures to ensure the business is legitimate.

For FREE information on scams and other consumer resources, visit www.bbb.org

The BBB is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. It is supported by businesses to protect consumers against scams and other unethical business practices.

The group accomplishes this by educating both consumers and businesses, and by highlighting trustworthy businesses.

Source: reflejos