Tackling qualification fraud
Qualifications required to gain a licence, job or immigration status are more likely to be targeted by fraudsters. Ofqual has measures to find, prevent and tackle qualification fraud.
Each year millions of regulated qualifications are awarded to learners in England and around the world. This number is also increasing, reaching 11 million in England in 2022 to 2023, and almost 9 million internationally.
The value of the regulated market in England alone is over £800m in entry fees and millions more in salaries where qualifications lead to employment in licensed and regulated sectors. In this context, qualification fraud is an ever present risk.
Ofqual regulates a wide range of vocational and technical qualifications in England. We require awarding organisations to take action to prevent all types of malpractice, which includes qualification fraud.
There is a risk of malpractice in all qualifications, but qualifications that are required to gain a licence, job or immigration status are more likely to be targeted by those willing to commit fraud. To tackle the problem, Ofqual has identified those qualifications that we regulate which are at heightened risk of qualification fraud.
What is qualification fraud?
There are several ways qualification fraud may be committed. These include:
- creating, buying or using fake certificates for regulated qualifications
- delivering ‘fast track’ training which leaves out important and necessary content
- helping learners cheat in tests by giving answers or taking a test on their behalf
Anyone who has gained their qualifications fraudulently is potentially making a false claim about what they know or can do. Training providers who have committed qualification fraud may be at risk of prosecution.
What impact does qualification fraud have?
Qualification fraud can pose a risk to safety and security, as well as being unfair on the vast majority of students who genuinely achieve the qualification. Fraud reduces public confidence in qualifications, awarding organisations and in the education sector as a whole.
It has also been associated with organised crime, such as modern slavery.
How to report qualification fraud
If you believe someone may be involved with qualification fraud, please report it. You can do this by contacting the organisation that awarded the qualification involved. Awarding organisations will investigate suspicions of malpractice, including qualification fraud.
You can also report qualification fraud to Ofqual if Ofqual regulates the qualification. We will pass on your report to the relevant organisation. If you’re not sure, you can check if the qualification is regulated by Ofqual.
Ofqual requires awarding organisations to take all reasonable steps to prevent and tackle malpractice in their qualifications, which includes qualification fraud. You can contact Ofqual if you have concerns about how an awarding organisation has responded to potential qualification fraud.
What action is Ofqual taking?
We have published a counter fraud action plan setting out the measures we’re taking to find, prevent and tackle qualification fraud.
It is a complex problem that requires a holistic approach to beat it. We believe we will be stronger and more effective working together, across government and the qualifications industry, to tackle fraud. We are therefore bringing together government bodies, regulators and awarding organisations to develop a coherent approach across at-risk sectors.
Ofqual will continue to check that awarding organisations investigate allegations of fraud against training centres or students effectively. Where we find an awarding organisation has not met our requirements in relation to the detection, prevention and avoidance of malpractice we will take appropriate action.
Ofqual will support government agencies that pursue prosecution against perpetrators of qualification fraud.
Learn more about our plan to prevent qualification fraud.
Can I get any other support?
If you want to report concerns about licensed operators or other types of fraud in specific sectors, you can:
- contact SIA about security licenses
- contact CSCS or contact CITB about construction cards and qualifications
- contact UKVI about immigration
You can contact Crimestoppers to report crimes or incidents anonymously by phone or online. They will tell the Police and may inform us or other relevant bodies.
- Crimestoppers website
- Phone: 0800 555 111
Contact Action Fraud. You will be given a police crime reference number and your case will be referred on to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).
- Online fraud reporting tool (24-hour service)
- Phone: 0300 123 2040