This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen
on .
It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7583830.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an available.
| Version 1 |
Version 2 |
| Fake sick notes sold on internet |
Fake sick notes sold on internet |
|
(2 days later)
|
| Fake sick notes are being sold on the internet for £25 each. | Fake sick notes are being sold on the internet for £25 each. |
| The documents on the website www.doctorsnotestore.com come on NHS headed paper and bear real doctors' names, but are completely false. | The documents on the website www.doctorsnotestore.com come on NHS headed paper and bear real doctors' names, but are completely false. |
| A site disclaimer says they are for "novelty" purposes only, but it also offers a money-back guarantee if they fail to get you out of work or school. | A site disclaimer says they are for "novelty" purposes only, but it also offers a money-back guarantee if they fail to get you out of work or school. |
| The NHS fraud squad said anyone using fake notes was open to prosecution and would be "pursued vigorously". | The NHS fraud squad said anyone using fake notes was open to prosecution and would be "pursued vigorously". |
| A spokesman said: "Selling sick notes is not illegal so a person could type one up and sell it without being prosecuted. | A spokesman said: "Selling sick notes is not illegal so a person could type one up and sell it without being prosecuted. |
| Choose from doctors at medical centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow - or any other area Website: www.doctorsnotestore.com | Choose from doctors at medical centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow - or any other area Website: www.doctorsnotestore.com |
| "It only becomes illegal when you receive a payment or advantage, for instance paid time off work, because of its use. | "It only becomes illegal when you receive a payment or advantage, for instance paid time off work, because of its use. |
| "We take fraud against the NHS very seriously and anyone caught using these fraudulent documents will be pursued vigorously." | "We take fraud against the NHS very seriously and anyone caught using these fraudulent documents will be pursued vigorously." |
| The website advertises a guaranteed delivery time of 48 hours and an authentic NHS stamp - and is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal. | The website advertises a guaranteed delivery time of 48 hours and an authentic NHS stamp - and is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal. |
| Alongside the GP's name, the false certificate contains an illness of the buyer's choice. | Alongside the GP's name, the false certificate contains an illness of the buyer's choice. |
| The site also says: "Choose from doctors at medical centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow - or any other area." | The site also says: "Choose from doctors at medical centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow - or any other area." |
| Condemned | Condemned |
| It says it has been making fake professional documents for the UK, New Zealand, Europe and worldwide for 11 years. | It says it has been making fake professional documents for the UK, New Zealand, Europe and worldwide for 11 years. |
| False medical certificates, school notes, solicitors' letters and holiday insurance claims are also advertised. | False medical certificates, school notes, solicitors' letters and holiday insurance claims are also advertised. |
| A spokesman from the British Medical Association said: "The deliberate abuse of the sick certification system is to be condemned. | A spokesman from the British Medical Association said: "The deliberate abuse of the sick certification system is to be condemned. |
| âOne positive step employers can take to avoid fraud is to strengthen working relationships with doctors. | âOne positive step employers can take to avoid fraud is to strengthen working relationships with doctors. |
| "This will also help them take positive action to support employees with genuine long-term health problems.â | "This will also help them take positive action to support employees with genuine long-term health problems.â |
| BBC News has tried to contact www.doctorsnotestore.com but no-one was available for comment. | BBC News has tried to contact www.doctorsnotestore.com but no-one was available for comment. |
| |
Send us your comments on this story by filling out the form below. | |
| |
