By 2028, One in Four Candidate Profiles Could Be Fake, Gartner Warns
Employers face a growing challenge: verifying the authenticity and abilities of job candidates. A recent Gartner report predicts that by 2028, 25% of candidate profiles worldwide may be fraudulent.
This rise in candidate fraud complicates the hiring process, making it harder to identify genuine qualifications and even authentic identities. In a survey of 3,000 job seekers, 6% admitted to engaging in interview fraud, either by impersonating someone else or by having someone else impersonate them.
AI’s Role in Candidate Fraud and Hiring Challenges
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in recruitment adds another layer of complexity. Candidates aware that AI tools assess them may tailor their responses to match perceived AI preferences, which can distort the true representation of their skills and personality. This behavior undermines the ability of hiring teams to make accurate evaluations.
According to Gartner, candidate fraud introduces cybersecurity risks that extend beyond the consequences of a bad hire. Fraudulent profiles could potentially expose organizations to security breaches and data risks.
Candidate Trust and Concerns About AI
- Only 25% of candidates trust AI to evaluate them fairly.
- 50% believe AI screens their applications.
- One-third worry about AI incorrectly rejecting their applications.
- Only half think the job listings they apply to are legitimate.
- Despite concerns, 40% use AI tools to assist with resumes, cover letters, and assessments.
Strategies to Detect and Prevent Candidate Fraud
To combat fraud, employers should implement a multi-layered approach:
- Set clear policies on acceptable AI use during applications.
- Communicate fraud detection efforts and legal consequences clearly to candidates.
- Use assessments and in-person interviews to verify skills and identity—62% of candidates indicated they prefer roles requiring in-person interviews.
- Deploy system-level safeguards after hiring, including enhanced background checks, identity verification, anomaly detection, and risk-based data monitoring.
These steps help reduce the risk of hiring unqualified or fraudulent candidates and protect organizational security.
For HR professionals looking to better understand AI’s impact on recruitment and how to responsibly integrate AI tools, exploring targeted AI training courses can be beneficial. Resources such as Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses offer practical guidance on AI use in hiring and beyond.
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