References - degrees at University

[Hedgesnottwigs]

Gentlemen and ladies,

A friend of mine is strongly considering going into business with a chap, who I believe to be a charlatan at best, and a right dodgy bugger at slightly worse.... He is, as I'm sure you've come across, what I would describe as a bulldozer bull sh**er - talks a lot and LOUDLY so to distract away from the truth.

I can't stand him, but the good friend is hell bent on going into biz with him, reasonable stakes sort of situation (circa £2m).

I have a small but perfectly formed dossier on this guys current mistruths and film flam BUT.... what would be particularly useful is if anyone knows how to ratify that a degree actually exists? Presumably from source but is it that easy... data protection etc etc.

All help greatly received!

[Simpo Two]

From what you say the fact of whether he has degree or not is the least of the problems.

The thought should be how your friend extricates himself from the 'business' with his investment intact/minimal personal damage when it goes bang.

[marshalla]

Hedgesnottwigs said:

I have a small but perfectly formed dossier on this guys current mistruths and film flam BUT.... what would be particularly useful is if anyone knows how to ratify that a degree actually exists? Presumably from source but is it that easy... data protection etc etc.

Yes, it is that easy. I used to produce 2 or 3 references a week when I was a course leader. Some contained opinion, some were just confirmation of facts.

Occasionally I did have to resort to "xxx was a student at this University and graduated in 19xx with a <classification> in <subject>. Unfortunately, none of the staff have any strong recollection of him/her."