The risk of credentials forgery is growing, and as a licensed Professional Engineer, you should be proactive in protecting your professional credentials, which may be used by unlicensed individuals for fraudulent purposes.
Maintaining control over your physical or digital seal is your responsibility. Many instances of forgery occur when people who an engineer has worked with in the past retain copies of signed and sealed documents and use the old signing and sealing information on new plans. To help prevent this:
- Do not share unprotected digital copies of signed and sealed documents.
- Store your physical and digital seal in a secure location.
- Refrain from including personal information, such as your professional seal, in public sample plans available on company or personal websites.
One of the simplest ways to prevent misuse of your professional credentials is to periodically check online job platforms and freelance websites for individuals using your name or PE number. Some of the freelance platforms where forgeries have been reported include Fiverr.com, Freelancer.com, Guru.com, PeoplePerHour.com, and Upwork.com.
If you find your name or PE number being used without your consent, contact the Board’s investigator, Wendy Anderson, at (850) 521-0500, ext. 119, or wanderson@fbpe.org. You should also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). IC3 is run by the FBI and is the federal government’s hub for reporting cybercrime.
If you discover that your information has been compromised and used to issue permits or plans that you did not sign or seal:
- Contact the relevant permitting agency. Notify them immediately so they are aware of the forged documents and can take appropriate action.
- Report the incident to law enforcement. Forgery is a criminal offense, and filing a police report ensures that legal action can be taken against the perpetrators.
- Inform the Board. FBPE should be made aware of credential misuse to prevent further fraudulent activity.
Unfortunately, there have been cases where the credentials of deceased engineers were used fraudulently for years. If you become aware that a Florida-licensed PE has died, please notify the Board as soon as possible so that the PE’s license status can be changed to “Deceased.”
Forgery is a growing concern in the engineering profession, and vigilance is key to preventing the misuse of credentials. By monitoring online activity, securing your professional seal, and reporting unauthorized use of your information, you can protect your hard-earned credentials and maintain the integrity of your profession. If you suspect forgery, act swiftly by reporting it to the proper authorities to prevent further fraudulent activity.
Additionally, Florida Building Officials who have concerns about potential forgeries related to engineering documents should also contact Anderson at (850) 521-0500, ext. 119, or wanderson@fbpe.org.