Fraudulent Candidates: Life-Threatening Lies

Fraudulent candidates in life science jobs are a serious issue that can have significant consequences as these roles require such a high level of skill and expertise. Falsifying employment history to hide employment gaps or lack of recent experience is not unusual to see in any industry, but fraudulent candidates in these positions inflating, and even fabricating, qualifications and skills can often be defined as outright fraud and misrepresentation.  

The impact of hiring someone who is not qualified or honest about their qualifications can be potentially life- threatening. Data from clinical research trials, as one example, becomes a key component of the application for FDA approval of a new drug. Someone who doesn’t have the appropriate experience, but is responsible for monitoring study sites, could compromise the ethical components of the study, as well as its data and safety. In addition, false or misleading statements in any part of a final application (including clinical research data) can be grounds for the FDA withholding or withdrawing the approval of that drug and can also be the basis for civil and criminal enforcement actions.

There are several types of fraudulent candidates that an employer can encounter. One common type is the candidate who falsifies their credentials, such as their education, work experience, or professional licenses. These candidates may create fake diplomas or certificates, fabricate work experience, or even steal the identity of a qualified professional to obtain a license.

Another type of fraudulent candidate is a candidate who misrepresents their criminal history. Life science jobs often require employees to pass a background check, and candidates with a criminal record may try to hide or provide false information about their criminal history to secure a job. 

The third type of fraudulent candidate is the one that hires someone to do the interview for them, in which one person goes through the interview process and gets the offer, and another person shows up to do the actual job.

A study conducted by HireRight found that nearly 85% of healthcare organizations reported that they had discovered lies on job applications and resumes, with nearly 40% of those relating to false education or credentialing. 

These statistics highlight the need for life science employers to be vigilant and take proactive steps to prevent fraudulent candidates from being hired. Conducting thorough background checks, verifying qualifications and credentials, and working closely with SRG will ensure that qualified and trustworthy professionals are hired.

To learn more, download our Fraudulent Candidate Guide and set up a call with one of our professionals to learn more about how we protect your business from fake candidates.