Warning: Verify Your Online Degree to Avoid Scams

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is advising potential students to be cautious when considering online education programs, as scams can lead to invalid degrees or certificates. Jayson Horiuchi, head of the DCCA’s Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP), describes diploma mills as organizations that provide fake qualifications without any real educational coursework.

Horiuchi emphasizes that red flags include schools claiming to offer degrees without coursework, or those that promise quick graduation periods. He suggests that prospective students verify accreditation through reliable resources and utilize tools like the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator to check critical metrics such as graduation and retention rates. Individuals who have fallen victim to these scams are encouraged to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission and to the DCCA.