First of all, we have to define what we mean by a “Scam”. 

The definition is really quite simple. It is “an institution or service which claims to be something which it is not or takes money to provide something which it fails to deliver.”

You must be very careful in not judging a non-traditional university by standards that you would normally apply to a traditional institution. For instance, many advisors in this field will draw attention to the fact that an institution operates some form of mail forwarding service or virtual office. They draw the inference that this indicates that something illegal or suspicious is at hand. We believe that this is spurious. 

Firstly we should point out that the use of mail forwarding is not illegal. Also, since most non-traditional institutions rely heavily on the mail, it is only natural that they should wish to locate an office in a zone that provides an efficient mail hub. A further point is that many “loophole” institutions have to split their administration between several jurisdictions to maintain their legality.

While it is important to look at the prospectus of a traditional university and check on such details as halls of residence, refectory and cafeteria facilities, campus security, playing fields, gymnasiums, lecture halls, libraries, etc., these facilities are not necessary for the non-traditional distance learning or assessment based institution. The lack of superfluous facilities should not be regarded as an indication that an institution is acting fraudulently.  Lacking the facilities normally associated with a traditional university does not make a non-traditional institution a scam.

On the other hand, producing a glossy prospectus showing a magnificent country mansion on the front cover while, in reality, operating a mail drop would be classed by us as misleading and would therefore make us lean towards calling an institution a scam. 

            We recommend this site for quality service.  

Some pundits say that offering credits for life experience is also an indicator that an institution is “questionable”. We disagree. We believe that earning a legal degree through full and fair assessment of prior learning and life experience is a valid concept. 

Be wary of institutions that are not forthright in explaining their legal status. This is especially true of “loophole” institutions. Make sure that they are what and where they say they are. There is nothing wrong with acquiring a “loophole” degree, so long as it is legal.

If an institution claims accreditation by an accrediting body, don’t be shy in checking it out. Write, fax phone or email the accrediting body and ask about the status of the institution. Remember, accreditation is not mandatory and so the lack of accreditation should not be seen as an indication of a scam.

If an institution offers degrees with comments like “no questions asked”, “nobody turned down” or "everyone approved”, then the discerning degree seeker must draw the conclusion that there is something amiss with that offer unless it is done via an escrow service like this site. The same is true of any site/advert offering "Replacement Degrees" from various institutions or, of course, medical degrees.  

Look to see what payment options are available. For instance, if you are thinking of getting a degree through ACME UNIVERSITY, but they want the check made out to ACME TRADING INC, then you might want to think twice. If an institution is legally set up enough to accept payment in it’s own name, then it is a good indicator that it has a sound legal basis.

However, be careful. Don’t forget that there is a difference between a “degree mill” and a “scam”. A scam involves fraud and deceit; an institution can be a degree mill without being a scam. Many small churches in the US legally sell doctorates through their “Bible Colleges” (usually in Divinity) to raise money. No laws are broken and so long as the applicant receives the diploma, no fraud has taken place.

If an institution is legally set up to award degrees and chooses to do so in exchange for money, then some may argue against the morality, but they cannot argue against the legality.  The client sees the offer, buys the degree knowing precisely what is being bought and receives it in the post. That is not a scam.

However, if that institution offers degrees for sale, receives the money but does not send the diploma; then that is a scam. If the institution claims a legal status that it was not entitled to then it is a scam.  

           We recommend this site for quality service.