The other day I heard about a company that provides fake references for job applicants, renters, and others. And from what I understand, the length it goes to in order to “lie” on behalf of its clients is unbelievable—even if the references it provides are believable.
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This company will provide you with a reference from a person who works for a company that is completely fabricated. You get to choose the area code from which the reference will come, along with the industry in which you work. It guarantees the company will pass the sniff test. That is, when someone searches the Internet for your fake employer, he or she will find a company complete with an address and driving directions.
The company provides the same type of service for renters. Need to show employment to rent that house or apartment? No worries. You don’t need a job; you just need someone to say you are gainfully employed. This company will do that for you.
It’s hard to believe a ruse this elaborate really works. What’s the saying? “What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Can you imagine a job applicant lying in an interview by trying to match his work history to a company at which he never worked and learned about only from a conversation with the liars who are providing the reference? Simple questions about management, the area in which the company supposedly is located, or its products and services could completely derail the interview.
I must admit that when I heard about this service, I was incensed. It makes me incredibly angry that a company would be in business to lie on behalf of its customers. While I assume it’s not illegal to provide false references for job applicants, it’s certainly unethical and immoral. What does it tell its employees when it hires them?
I can imagine the company’s job ad reads something like this:
Can you lie through your teeth while you smile? Have you been telling fish stories since you were a child? Are you willing to lie unabashedly on behalf of strangers? If so, do we have a job for you! We’re a growing company looking for talented professional liars. The better you can lie, the bigger the opportunities are with our company. So if you’re a liar, we want you. Apply today! (And if you don’t have any references, we can help with that, too.)
If a great working relationship is based on trust, what must this company be like? I can’t imagine the employees trust their employer—its whole business model is predicated on lying. And on the other hand, the employer can’t trust the employees—they lie for a living. What could anyone believe?
And what’s the company’s mission statement—“We strive to be the best liars in the business” or “We won’t rest until every unqualified job applicant has a host of fake references on which to rely”?
As I write this, I become angrier with every sentence. Imagine the company provides a reference for a supposed experienced heavy equipment operator. The applicant gets the job based on the glowing reference. The problem is the person has never operated heavy equipment in his life. He just liked the sound of the job and the salary associated with it. The first day on the job, he drives a bulldozer through a building or—worse yet—injures someone else because of his complete lack of experience. Is our friendly reference provider liable in any way for its part in this? I sure hope so!
I’m not sure what it says about our society that a company like this can exist, but in my opinion, it’s not good. Here’s hoping that your applicants have real references from real people at real companies! And if you’re afraid I’ve lied about all of this, here’s the link to the company’s site: www.careerexcuse.com. Of course, I guess they could be lying about even providing the service.
The fall out – not unexpected – when we have decided as a society that we will not to teach “right from wrong.” We are all finding out much faster than we had ever imagined the consequences of this “decision.”
Frankly, I’m just trying to figure out why you would link to that site in the first place. If it was just to prove the point crap like that exists on the internet, the whole world already seems to be one big ball of cynicism and a refreshing change of pace for some to shock the hell out of others.
Seems to me linking to it does more harm than good by literally lifting the website up and giving it what’s left of any SEO passe link juice any of us have left.
Up until today, I’ve never been disappointed by the articles you’ve written. I may not of always agree with you, but I never thought “hmmm wonder what the motivation for this article was .. really.
In short, why make it a live link, when the truly curious can just copy and paste.
Chris,
seems you are terribly upset by this article. Is it because you are associated with such a company. As this is an HR advisory blog, I think the knowledge of the availability of such deception is good to know. Thanks, Dan.
Hi Chris,
I read this article and I was still in disbelief that such a company existed. So I clicked on the link. I even read through their site to see what they offered and get a sense of how they did it. This will help me when I am looking at future applications, references and resumes.
I am glad that she posted the link. I would never think of using them, but knowing that they are there and how they work is really helpful. How they have avoided being sued is beyond me.
Chris, you raise an excellent point. I, in no way, was trying to help this company. You’re right that the link could actually benefit this business. That wasn’t my attention. I considered whether or not to include the link and decided in favor of doing so because I thought the reader might want to see this for him or herself. But maybe the old axiom “there is no such thing as bad publicity” is true. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
A few years ago, I participated in a webinar for LinkedHR on Background Checks and I spoke on the importance of doing educational credentials verification and not simply trusting that the transcripts and diplomas that a person presents are legitimate. I showed them a website (there are actually several of these kinds of websites) which is called PhonyDiploma.com – they produce “real” “fake” diplomas and transcripts for their clients. It is a legitimate website that is all about producing something that is fake. So the next time someone shows you a diploma or transcript, you may want to authenticate their credentials with the school’s Registrar’s Office or better yet, have the applicant sign a release so you can get the credentials to you directly from the school.
Good to know that this is out there and don’t mind you publishing the link – good to know your enemy, right?
Interestingly, if you go to this site’s contact info and look up the address on google maps, it’s a parking lot. There is no such address. Right in character with the service.
Yes the world has come to this sickening crap. And for many, many people it is needed! Employers are looking for baby Jesus to come down and work “””cradle to grave””” for peanuts. It is so sickening. Have not worked in years, BUT went to school to receive TWO degrees and it does not count..