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Fake “Fit Notes” on an internet website are being circulated and purchased by unscrupulous claimants for as little as £10 each according to a recent report.
The website doctorsnotesstore.com is openly selling fake versions of the new fit notes that were recently introduced. These have been described as authentic looking replica medical certificates, written on official doctors’ note paper with a real stamp. It appears that the fake fit notes have a guaranteed 48 hour delivery and employees can choose to have notes stamped by doctors from medical centres in any UK city.
Despite the fact that the website claims that the documents are “for novelty use only” it is clearly the case that employees could attempt to use one of these counterfeit notes to claim sickness payments. The best advice to employers is that if there is any suspicion that one of your employees has submitted a sick note which is false, the employee should be referred to an occupational health adviser for a second opinion. Alternatively of course it is also reasonable to contact the surgery named on the medical certificate to check its veracity and the fact that it was actually signed by the doctor named on the sick note.
Amusingly perhaps doctorsnotesstore.com is currently running a “Buy one get one free” offer in order that people can “have a spare one to fill in yourself at a later date - you never know when you will have to explain your absence again”. Clearly for any employees contemplating the use of these notes, any financial benefit generated through the document which is false would constitute fraud and could lead to instant dismissal on the grounds of gross misconduct.
Any advice on Fit Notes or related matters, please contact Qdos on 01455 852028 or email qed@qdosconsulting.com
