Candidate fraud: The warning signs HR should watch out for

“A good verification system can look at device fingerprints, network behaviour, submission timing, document metadata, and identity consistency across platforms, all without the candidate ever knowing it’s happening,” he said.  

According to Bajwa, the only time an application may be reviewed by a human is when the system picks up on certain red flags, such as a VPN combined with a new LinkedIn profile, as well as a CV that matches other submissions word for word.  

“The model you want is fast and frictionless for legitimate candidates, with extra scrutiny reserved for those who need it,” he said. “It also saves your recruiters wasted time. Instead of discovering a problem after multiple rounds of interviews or after making an offer, you’re catching it upfront.”  

Ultimately, Bajwa emphasised that no verification system should compromise fairness, especially for genuine jobseekers.  

“When you’re screening based on objective, technical signals rather than gut feelings or surface-level impressions, you’re less likely to let bias set in,” he said.