Board Sees Increase in Fraudulent Seal Use
The Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects is warning Nebraska-licensed architects and professional engineers, as well as project owners, building officials, contractors, and the public, about a growing trend involving unauthorized and fraudulent use of architect and professional engineer seals—particularly through freelance online marketplaces.
The Board has recently identified an increase in cases involving:
- Online marketplaces that appear to use Nebraska licensees’ architect or professional engineer seals without their knowledge or consent, and
- Unlicensed individuals appearing to produce technical documents with fake or fraudulent architect or professional engineer seals.
In some cases, project owners who believe they are complying with Nebraska law through services provided through these marketplaces unknowingly obtain drawings or other technical documents from them that include fraudulent seals.
The use of architect and professional engineer seals by unauthorized persons are deceptive and unlawful; may pose a significant risk to life, health, and property; and undermine public welfare.
Why This Is a Serious Violation
The Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act prohibits:
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The practice of architecture or engineering without a license,
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Using or attempting to use the certificate of licensure or the seal of another person, and
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Falsely impersonating a licensed professional.
How to Identify Potential Fraud
Often, seals may appear legitimate at first glance but lack required elements such as a valid license number, engineering discipline, or a real, verifiable licensee.
The Board urges project owners and building officials to be vigilant when they encounter:
- Unusually low-cost design services offered through freelance or online marketplaces;
- Avoidance when attempting to set up a face-to-face meeting to talk about a potential project;
- Seals that appear altered, incomplete, or inconsistent;
- Missing or unverifiable license information; and
- Little or no direct communication with the licensee whose seal is to be placed on the work.
To help prevent misuse of their professional seal, licensees should:
- Maintain secure control of their physical and/or electronic seal;
- Never unduly share your seal or signature with other parties;
- Only seal work prepared by them or under their direct supervision;
- Monitor projects in which their seal has been used, and
- Report suspected misuse to the Board immediately.
Reporting Suspected Violations
The Board relies on the public and industry professionals to help identify and address violations. Anyone who suspects suspicious use of a licensee’s seal is encouraged to file a complaint if they encounter activity that is believed to be a violation of the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.
In addition, the Board urges project owners and licensees to contact the Nebraska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 402-471-2683 if they suspect or encounter fraudulent use of the seal of a Nebraska-licensed architect or professional engineer.
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Contact:
Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Attn: Allyson Berglund, Public Information Officer
215 Centennial Mall S, Ste 400