Executive Summary
Fraud in hiring is not just an inconvenience — it is a costly, reputation-damaging problem. From falsified qualifications to identity theft, unverified hires can lead to wasted resources, legal exposure, and operational delays.
According to the Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE) 2024 report, 6.59% of qualification verifications contained discrepancies, with even higher fraud rates in matric certificates (7.82%), tertiary short courses (8.28%), and international qualifications (11%). This means that more than 1 in 10 applicants may not be who they claim to be or hold the credentials they present.
The good news? By prioritising verified talent, employers can drastically reduce hiring fraud by up to 90% while building a reliable, high-performing workforce.
This report outlines five proven strategies for hiring verified candidates — strategies that leading South African employers are already using to protect their businesses and recruit faster.
1. Prioritise Digital Identity Verification at the Start of Recuritment
Why it works:
Catching fraudulent candidates early saves both time and money. By verifying identity before the interview stage, you avoid wasting resources on unqualified or deceptive applicants.
Industry Insight:
MIE’s research shows that implementing proper pre-hiring verification processes can eliminate the majority of fraudulent applications before they even reach your shortlist.
How to implement:
- Require candidates to submit verified IDs before shortlisting.
- Use trusted platforms such as Spaan, where all job seekers must verify their ID or CIPC registration before connecting with employers.
- Integrate ID verification checks into your Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Spaan Advantage:
All candidates on Spaan’s platform have undergone ID verification via WhatsApp, USSD, or the web, giving you a trustworthy talent pool from the outset.
2. Verify Qualifications and Employment History
Why it works:
Qualification fraud is one of the top hiring risks. MIE’s findings show that over 6% of academic credentials checked had discrepancies, with certain categories exceeding 10%. Without proper checks, you may hire someone who is unfit for the role.
How to implement:
- Partner with verification services to confirm academic credentials.
- Cross-check employment history with past employers.
- Avoid relying solely on PDF or paper CVs without independent validation.
Spaan Advantage:
Our verification process extends beyond identity checks — employers can also verify qualifications and employment history for added assurance.
3. Demand Verified Employer Profiles
Why it works:
Fraud risk is not limited to candidates — employer impersonation scams are on the rise. Ensuring your company profile is verified builds trust and attracts higher-quality applicants.
How to implement:
- Verify your CIPC registration before posting jobs.
- Display your verified employer badge on all job postings.
- Work only with platforms that require employer verification.
Spaan Advantage:
On Spaan, only verified employers can post jobs, reducing the risk of scams and improving candidate confidence.
4. Use a Single, Secure Communication Channel
Why it works:
Scammers thrive when communication is scattered across multiple, unsecured channels. Centralising candidate engagement within a secure environment reduces the risk of data breaches or fraudulent activity.
How to implement:
- Communicate with candidates exclusively through your verified recruitment platform.
- Avoid exchanging personal contact details until the later hiring stages.
- Keep all job offers, contracts, and acceptance records on secure systems.
Spaan Advantage:
With Spaan, candidate engagement happens only through verified, secure channels — whether on WhatsApp, USSD, or the web.
5. Implement Ongoing Verification for Seasonal or Contract Roles
Why it works:
Some employees work with you intermittently. Re-verifying their credentials before every new contract ensures no changes in eligibility and significantly reduces identity fraud risk.
Industry Insight:
MIE’s data highlights that automated verification tools boost verification efficiency by 70% — making ongoing re-checks faster and more cost-effective than manual processes.
How to implement:
- Maintain a verified talent database.
- Set verification expiry dates for high-security or compliance-critical roles.
- Partner with platforms offering quick re-verification tools.
Spaan Advantage:
Spaan’s database allows employers to re-engage previously verified talent instantly — saving time while maintaining compliance.
The Results: Lower Fraud, Faster Hiring, Better ROI
By implementing these strategies, employers can:
- Reduce fraud risk by up to 90%.
- Hire 50% faster from a pre-verified talent pool.
- Protect company reputation by ensuring only legitimate hires join their team.
About Spaan
Spaan is South Africa’s first verification-led employment platform. We connect verified job seekers with verified employers, ensuring every hire is secure, compliant, and trustworthy.
Accessible via:
WhatsApp: 077 449 5964
USSD: *120*77226#
Web: www.spaan.co.za
