Case Study: Recapturing Revenue from Counterfeit College Transcripts

When it comes to college transcripts, document security is critical. A college transcript documents the student’s academic progress and is used as for intra-college transfers, entry into graduate programs, and part of the job application process. With this level of pressure to look their best, there is a high temptation for students to alter their transcripts. Whether it’s a private, public, or community college, fake and altered transcripts are a real problem.

The problem is twofold:

1. Because transcripts are digitally printed (and the toner used in digital printing sits on top of the paper), creative students can take their original transcripts, lift off the toner, and alter details such as grades and hours completed.
2. Students are able to obtain entirely fake transcripts simply by purchasing them online. Just Google “fake college transcripts” and see the array of options. Falsifiers promise that these fakes will look almost identical to the ones issued by actual colleges and universities. They include seemingly authentic details, such as academic keys printed on the backsides of the transcripts, embossed Office of Admissions & Records seals, and red “Issued to Student” or “Official Transcript” stamps.

With such sophistication, it can be very time-consuming and difficult prospective employers and even colleges to tell the difference — and dishonest students are counting on it.

One Southwestern community college was among those with counterfeit transcript problem. Not only was its reputation taking a hit, but the school was losing revenue, as well. The college charges $15 per transcript, so every time a transcript was copied, that was money right out of its pocket.

Solution: Secure Those Documents!

The distributor met with the community college to better understand the problem. It quickly became clear that the transcripts were easily altered and duplicated because they had no document security features. The distributor suggested adding two different types of security features: those designed to prevent alteration and those designed to prevent duplication. The college loved the idea, and on the recommendation of the distributor, added six different features across both categories:

1. Chemical indicator stains (alteration): Causes stains to show up if someone tries to make changes to the document, making it immediately obvious that the document has been tampered with.
2. TonerFuse® (alteration): Special adhesion coating that makes toner removal nearly impossible without causing visible damage to the paper’s surface.
3. True Fourdrinier Watermark (duplication): Watermark that is only visible when the document is held up to light, making it nearly impossible to replicate.
4. Visible and invisible fibers (duplication): Fibers that cannot be seen with the naked eye but that will show up under ultraviolet light.
5. Warning border (duplication): Border printed around the perimeter of a document that includes a message such as “Do Not Copy” or ” Void If Copied.”
6. Colored pantograph (duplication): Security pantograph built into a colored background. The word “VOID” is designed to appear when the original document is photocopied or scanned.

The Result? Improved Reputation and Higher Revenues

The distributor received a $1,000 order from the community college, and the college receive a huge ROI. The college’s integrity and reputation were preserved, and its transcript revenue went up. In fact, with transcripts now nearly impossible to counterfeit, the college’s transcript revenue jumped more than 50%!

Learn more about our document security features here.

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How can we help you help your clients protect their critical documents? Let’s talk!

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