Protecting the Record: Why Certification Security Matters in Transcription
Certification fraud is a growing concern in the legal transcription industry. Learn how Access Transcripts safeguards client trust by hiring verified professionals and supporting AAERT’s efforts to protect credentials.
More Than Just a Number: Protecting Transcription Credentials and Client Trust
In legal transcription, accuracy is everything, but so is trust. At Access Transcripts, we don’t just focus on getting the words right. We’re committed to working with professionals who are properly certified, carefully vetted, and ethically grounded. That’s why we’re proud to support AAERT’s recent push to increase awareness around credential protection and certification fraud in the industry.
Whether you’re a court, a law firm, or a government agency, knowing who’s behind the transcript matters. Here’s what’s at stake and what we’re doing about it.
The Growing Risk of Certification Fraud
With the growing shortage of traditional court reporters and increased demand for digital reporting and transcription, the temptation for fraud has never been greater. Unfortunately, there are bad actors out there impersonating certified professionals or misusing someone else’s credentials to land work they’re not qualified for.
According to AAERT, this is a real and growing issue. Certification numbers have been shared publicly, misused, and in some cases, stolen altogether. That’s not just a personal problem—it’s an industry problem. When credentials aren’t verified, the entire legal process can be put at risk.
What Access Transcripts Does to Protect the Record
We take this seriously. At Access Transcripts:
We only work with U.S.-based professionals. Every subcontractor is personally vetted and verified by our team.
We prioritize certification. We give preference to transcribers and proofers who hold (or are actively pursuing) AAERT certification.
We verify identity. When we onboard new subcontractors, we ask for official identification and check that it matches their application, resume, and professional record.
We don’t play guessing games. If we have any doubt about someone’s identity or qualifications, we don’t send them work, period.
What You Can Do as a Client or Agency
AAERT laid out some excellent recommendations in their article, Not Just a Number, including:
Use the AAERT certificant search tool to verify certification status.
Ask for ID when hiring transcribers, especially when certification is claimed.
Use secure, cloud-based identity verification services like ID.me or Persona.
Be cautious about generic email addresses and vague resumes.
Reach out to AAERT directly if you suspect fraud: info@aaert.org | 212-251-2600
Our Promise to Clients
When you hire Access Transcripts, you’re not just getting a transcript. You’re getting a guarantee that the person preparing that record is qualified, accountable, and exactly who they say they are.
We don’t cut corners. We don’t outsource overseas. We don’t accept just anyone with a keyboard and a claim. We’re here to protect the integrity of the record, and to give our clients peace of mind, knowing their transcripts are in the right hands.
