As court reporting and transcription professionals, we know that accuracy is everything. Every transcript, every certification, and every identity behind the record must be reliable and trustworthy. But as the industry faces an increasing shortage of court reporters—and as digital court reporting and transcription has increasingly filled that gap—we all have a shared responsibility to prevent fraud, protect our credentials, and verify the identity of those we rely on.

Whether you're a certified professional, an agency owner, or a regulatory official, here’s how we can work together to uphold the integrity of the record.

For Certification Holders: Protect Your Identity and Credentials

Your AAERT certification number is more than just a line on your resume—it’s proof that you’ve met the industry’s rigorous standards. That’s why it’s essential to safeguard it. Here are some important steps you need to take to protect your certification.

• Keep your certification number private. Only share it with potential employers, clients, or verified government or regulatory agencies. Avoid listing it publicly where it could be captured or misused.

• Monitor your reputation. Keep in touch with current and past employers and clients. If any of them report receiving emails or other contact from you that doesn't sound familiar, get more information to check for potential fraud or impersonation.

• If you suspect fraud, act quickly. If you believe someone else is using your certification number or impersonating you, contact AAERT immediately at info@aaert.org or 212-251-2600. Take screenshots, save emails, and gather any other evidence. The sooner we know about potential fraud, the sooner we can help.

How AAERT Protects Your Certification

While it's not widespread, certification fraud is a problem that AAERT takes very seriously. We never share personal information publicly. When someone calls to verify a certification, we will confirm its validity or other details to confirm that it's really you—but we won't release private details. If a fraud attempt is confirmed, we can issue you a new certification number to prevent further misuse. If you're not sure whether you might have a problem, it's always best to reach out to us so we can help you with next steps.

For Agencies, Employers, Clients, and Regulators: Trust but Verify

It’s not enough to take someone’s word for it. AAERT certification-holders are the best in the business and that, coupled with the ongoing shortage of court reporters, creates a strong incentive for fraudulent actors to try to use legitimate certification numbers and even impersonate certified individuals. Here's how you can prevent it and protect your organization:

• Always verify certification status. You can use the public search feature at aaert.org/resources/certificant-search to confirm if someone is currently certified. Keep in mind that individuals with strict privacy settings may not appear in the public search, so false negatives are possible. For full verification, it's always best to call us directly at 212-251-2600.

• Double-check the identity behind the number. Just because a certification is valid doesn’t mean the person you’re communicating with is the rightful holder. Always verify identity using ID. Because we also verify ID whenever a candidate takes any of our certification tests, this is your most reliable way to make sure that's the same person you're talking to.

• Leverage cloud-based services. Services like ID.me, Persona, and many others now provide online, on-demand identity verification services. Many of these services are designed with modular, API-based or no-code options, making them accessible even to small businesses with minimal IT resources. You just send your subcontractor a secure link, and within a couple of minutes they upload a photo of their ID and a selfie to confirm their identity—then you get a report verifying it’s really them. That report can be kept on file to show you've done your due diligence.

• Be cautious with generic email addresses. Email accounts like janedoe123@gmail.com can be easily faked. If you’re unsure whether you’re communicating with the actual certification holder, reach out to AAERT. We can contact the email on file and ask them to connect with you directly to confirm their identity.

• Agencies: safeguard your client's data. Before granting access to sensitive legal records, transcripts, or testimony, it's vital to confirm both certification and identity. Fraudulent access to legal materials can put your clients, your agency, and the legal system at risk.

In an industry that is rapidly embracing digital court reporting and transcription to meet unprecedented demand, safeguarding your professional identity is just as important as earning your certification in the first place. AAERT is committed to helping our members and partners prevent fraud, protect credentials, and maintain the highest standards of trust and authenticity. By staying vigilant and working together, we can ensure that the court reporting and transcription industry remains not only accurate—but also secure, ethical, and verified.