Worried About My Career: How to Handle Fake Certificates After 12 Years of Work?

I have completed my B.Com 1st and 2nd year but couldn't pass the 3rd year. So, in short, only the first and second years are cleared. After that, I pursued my regular MBA from one of the most prestigious colleges based on a fake mark sheet provided by a university clerk for the 3rd year of B.Com. He promised me that he had changed the internal records and took money from me.

I have been working for the last 12 years and have experience working with four top category IT companies. In my previous organization, during a verification process, the agency revealed discrepancies to HR. Although HR did not ask me to leave, I left the organization out of fear and to avoid any blemish on my career. Now, I am sitting at home.

Please suggest why I was not caught in the last 12 years and how I can manage things. I realize it's not fair, but my 1st and 2nd-year mark sheets are genuine, and my regular MBA is also genuine. Can I survive?

Thank you.

Well, in short, I would say that if you passed the exam by copying and cheating without getting caught, it doesn't mean that copying and cheating are allowed in exams. Similarly, if you initially succeed in your career without getting caught for using a fake certificate, it doesn't mean you are right.

Did you read carefully what my concern was and what I asked, or did you immediately jump to a conclusion and act like a judge? Please read.

I completely understand your problem. Well, I know whatever you did was wrong, but I am sure due to some circumstances, you took one wrong decision of obtaining a fake certificate. However, I am confused at one place. When your HR didn't ask you to leave the job or didn't say anything to you, I guess it was just because they must have been happy with your performance. I think you would have thought twice before leaving your job because now somewhere you will lack confidence while giving the next interview as these things will always be on your mind.

I don't see what I can suggest to you as leaving the job was not a correct decision from my point of view. But honestly, let me discuss with my friends if I can find some options. I shall update you here if I find any options for you.

Take care.

Thanks for your reply. I passed the 1st and 2nd years, and I didn't imagine that the clerk wouldn't increase my marks in college. Let me clarify one thing: I obtained a migration certificate for my MBA from the college counter based on the third-year mark sheet. After that, I completed a regular MBA and worked for 12 years, including in top 500 organizations worldwide.

Does the company verify all academic records or just the highest one? Companies like Infosys also only verify the highest degree and high school records. Will HR be okay if I only submit the highest degree and 10th, 12th certificates?

One thing I didn't understand is how you know about your background verification report, that your BVR revealed that your educational verification is negative when even HR has not discussed this issue with you?

Thanks for your reply. I passed the 1st and 2nd year, and I didn't expect that the clerk wouldn't increase my marks in college. Let me clarify one thing: I had obtained a migration certificate for my MBA from the college counter based on the third-year mark sheet. After that, I pursued a regular MBA and worked for 12 years, including in a top 500 organization in the world.

Verification of Academic Records

Does the company verify all academic records or only the highest one? Companies like Infosys also verify only the highest degree and high school. Would HR be okay if I only submit the highest degree, 10th, and 12th certificates?

No HR asked for the B.Com degree but didn't follow up. I left the organization after 8 months because my fear was increasing every passing day.

Academic Record Verification: Company Discretion

Which academic record verification has to be done is entirely dependent on the discretion of the company. There are companies that only verify higher education, while others verify both higher and secondary education. Therefore, it is unpredictable what will be verified after employment.

Submission of Educational Certificates

Regarding your second query, "Will HR be okay if I only submit the highest degree and 10th and 12th certificates?" Well, I don't think any renowned company would be okay with that. Most renowned companies require all educational certificates for their records.

A very interesting query indeed. This reminded me right away of Yahoo's Scott Thompson, who was fired last year for providing false details on his resume. You may search the details and make yourself aware of this case.

I briefly read your query above, and from my (little) experience with the corporate world, I can tell you that as a person moves up the ladder, the background checks become more stringent and strict. Even for the world's top 500 companies, or even the world's number 1 company for that matter. Maybe there are people who have done similar things in the past and have gotten away with it. You were perhaps just the unlucky one.

Now that you must be aware of the mistakes that you made, I don't need to point them out. In my opinion, you should take the TY exam now and apply for jobs after that. I can't come up with any other solution.

Options for Managing Your Situation

In the circumstances explained, you have these options (some of them might be viewed as unethical to suggest):

1. First and foremost, complete the 3rd-year B.Com exam successfully and fill up your resume with factual details.

2. Whatever the employer might ask for, submit only the MBA degree. It is difficult to satisfy the employer as to why you could not produce the B.Com certificate.

3. Enroll for a fresh degree, either through distance education, evening courses, or full-time study. When completed successfully, you can decide to only reference this new qualification and forget about the defunct B.Com.

4. Forget about a job; consider opening your own venture such as a business, consultancy, or a BPO, or explore opportunities like 'do-it-at-home' where qualifications might be secondary.

May God bless you.

Regards

Cheating in certificates is unethical. You have acted unethically, and this raises concerns about your integrity in other aspects of your work and interactions with others. People may perceive you as untrustworthy.

The Honest Path Forward

The best course of action is to take the exam now and pass it honestly. B.Com is manageable to study and pass, especially if you have work experience. Remember, living with the fear of being caught is a constant burden. Choose honesty now, or continue living in fear. The decision is yours.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Binu