Difficulty getting a job is forcing more candidates to lie on their CVs, according to research by BackCheck.

When comparing the six months between September 2008-March 2009 with the same period a year earlier, the background checking company found there was a 54% increase in lies about candidates' employment history and a 50% increase in lies about education history from people coming from the banking sector.
 
Amongst candidates from the retail sector at least one third of CVs were found to give false references, while in retail, this was 50%.
 
Chris Hawkins, assistant vice president of operations, BackCheck said: "In a recession candidates want impressive CVs, but sensible employers are those who are checking that what in on them is true."