Intro

Some started out as correspondence schools advertised on the backs of matchbooks.But with time degree mills evolved, they found new ways to advertise.The next step was beautiful adverts in newspapers, magazines and flashy television commercials.Diploma mills have become more prosperous because modern technology is becoming increasingly available to the general public, home copiers and printers can produce professional-looking degrees and documentation, operators vigorously advertise their programs, and the Internet has made it easy to recruit "students".Since this "business" moved online the diploma mill industry has been able to generate hundreds of millions of dollars.

So What are Diploma Mills or Degree Mills ?

Diploma mill: An institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent.Diploma mills are universities who sell pieces of paper called diplomas that are worthless. The degrees mean nothing. Many diploma mills will simply hand you a diploma in exchange for a sum of money without ever asking you to do any work. A few will require an essay. These fraudulent institutions are notorious for scamming people by sending them convincing brochures filled with fake statistics and pictures. In actuality, most diploma mills are no more than some con-artist running a scam out of the computer of his one bedroom apartment. A few may even have a day job.

Degrees and certificates obtained from a "Diploma Mill" are frequently not recognized by other schools or by potential employers, all these because they don't have accreditation.Accreditation is an important factor in the public perception and actual legitimacy of a higher education institution. This process, quite simply, is a validation that a school's faculty, curriculum, and supporting facilities are worthy of awarding diplomas in certain areas of study.Legitimate distance-learning providers are recognized in the countries where they are located, and their status can be verified by contacting the relevant educational authorities.

How this "business" works ?

First the scammer choose a name to sound confusingly similar to those of prestigious, accredited academic institutions. The second step is to purchase a domain.In these days anybody can buy a domain and pay someone to make a beautiful website.The Internet is a great way for diploma mills to reach potential customers all around the world, because it’s cheap and anonymous. They can open up shop virtually anywhere. People are attracted by promises of the improved job prospects that an academic degree can offer, as well as increased social standing and prestige.Now that the only thing they need is accreditation, that is resolved with a simple trick.The trick here is that are indeed "accredited" but by unrecognized official-sounding agencies bogus accrediting agencies that they themselves have created.This way they can advertise as being "nationally accredited" or "accredited worldwide."

Now that everything is "Ok" they begin to find clients.And what is the best way to find clients ?

Advertising !!!

The mills use photographs of other buildings in advertisements. Most have P.O. Boxes or "Suite" mailing addresses. They advertise low fees, large degrees, little effort, complete facilities, accredited faculty, and the authority to grant degrees. Tuition is almost nonexistent except for the "all-in-one" fee for the diploma.With these methods they make people more confuse, and finally some of them will pay for a false degree.There are online schools that will give anyone who can pay the tuition a diploma without teaching the information needed to survive in the job market.Some may even advertise services for transcript notation and diploma verification in order to seem more legitimate.

A whole range of different diplomas and degrees are offered through the Internet. The vast majority of them follow the Anglo-Saxon model, with names like Bachelor of Arts/Science, Master of Arts/Science, and PhD, but there is almost no limit to what you can order as long as you’re willing to pay for it. You simply choose whatever diploma, degree or title you want, decide whether you want a transcript included, what level of distinction you want (e.g. cum laude), then you make the payment, and the documents are delivered only a few days later.

It is difficult to prove fraud. These operations immunize themselves from prosecution is by constantly acknowledging that they are diploma mills. These organizations do not obtain money under false pretenses by misleading "students" about what they are getting. The buyer knows they had done no real work. Often they know they had purchased a fraudulent product. The school usually admits up front that they are unaccredited. They give you everything promised.And all these are possible because in many states the law about degree mills is not clear.

Why Degree Mills Work ?

The people buying these degrees are buying them for a purpose, either to get a promotion, change jobs, or to change careers. In many cases, they knowingly purchased the product, even though it was bogus. Buyers who utilize these degrees fall into two categories: Uninformed people who think the degrees came from legitimate sources, or people who knowingly and explicitly purchase fraudulent degrees. They may do so for more recognition or fame, pay increases, job promotions, and personal gain. Those who are uninformed and later discover the degrees are fraudulent are usually too embarrassed at their mistake to go public. Often, those who buy diplomas read about them in newspapers or magazines, or search for them on the Internet.

Degree mills thrive primarily because

:

• Holders of the fraudulent diplomas are ashamed of their mistake and don’t complain or are scared of being exposed.
• Word spreads quickly because of the cheap prices of degrees.
• Laws are too lax in some states.
• If legal pressure is applied, degree mill operators move to other states with less strict laws.
• The prestige of American degrees are bait for foreigners.
• Mills are ignored by responsible accreditation agencies, government, and reputable institutions of higher learning.
• Media and law enforcement are disinterested in mills because there is no legislation specifically pertaining to mill operations.

How you can recognize a "Diploma Mill" ?

These are the most common characteristics of a Diploma Mill.If you spot any of this signs you should investigate if this is a real school or just another Diploma Mill that want to fool you and take your money.

• Make degrees, diplomas, and certificates available for purchase
• Claim accreditation but show no proof of having been accredited by a genuine accreditation organization
• Make degrees, diplomas, and certificates available in an extremely short period of time
• Make degrees, diplomas, and certificates available through resume review only
• Offer education, degrees, diploma, and certificates at a suspiciously low cost
• Offer no information about location or faculty
• Make claims and assert facts and statistics for which there is no proof

Labels: degree, fake, Students