Credential Verification: Do’s before you get Duped

Credential verification is a process that can save us from getting into a wrong person or professional. Seeking service, handing over property, or searching for a job to a person without his credential verification is a sure way of inviting trouble. There are a lot of examples where people including well known judges, physicians and experts have exaggerated their credentials.

Being a bit careful and carrying out little checks before trusting a person with important service and personal details can result in more assurance and peace of mind. There are various ways to check a professional’s credentials. Internet offers many of them. But nothing beats an exhaustive check on your own. Mentioned under is a list of checks including your own and some of them on the net.

1. Get the details: Ask the person about his details, including education, career graph and professional record. Do not go by the word of mouth. Do cross check these. Universities, institutes and professional associations maintain the record of their alumni. Have a check with them.
2. Professional record: Other than personal details, professional details are equally, rather more important. Every professional institute or organization maintains a record of its members. Ask him if he holds any membership of such organizations. Cross check whether the data provided by the person are true and exact.
3. Contact other experts: Do check a person’s credentials with the other experts from the same profession. Often this is very useful as this will give idea about that person’s reputation as well.
4. Check with his neighborhood: Get around his residence and ask his neighbours. They often have an idea about the true credentials of the person. They may also be helpful in knowing the person’s social status and behaviour that may be crucial to you as well.
5. Get on the net: Internet is a good source of data about people. Especially social media networks offer a lot of personal information. Do get on any or many of them. Find out if a person in question has any information about him.
6. Blog search: Many professionals maintain blogs. Do a blog search and find out more about the person’s way of thinking, level of knowledge and areas of interest. These are very helpful in getting to understand about a person.
7. Public records: Many countries hold a record of details about its citizens. If any site or office allows you to peep into it, do not miss it. Income tax or property tax records, municipal corporation offices and police stations maintain records about individuals. These may give you a glimpse into the worth of the person.
8. Word of mouth: Do talk to people. People are often the best source of information about a professional. Especially bad reputation gets across very fast. Try to find out if anyone has ever come across or dealt with the professional in question. If you find any such person, share her experiences.

Having done the credential verification about a person, you can be well assured while dealing with him / her. After so many cross checks and verification, you are less likely to be duped in any sort.