1 Sep, 2008
Fake sick notes sold on internet
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.
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".
A spokesman said: "Selling sick notes is not illegal so a person could type one up and sell it without being prosecuted.
"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."
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.
The site also says: "Choose from doctors at medical centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow - or any other area."
Condemned
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.
A spokesman from the British Medical Association said: "The deliberate abuse of the sick certification system is to be condemned."
BBC News has tried to contact www.doctorsnotestore.com but no-one was available for comment.
photo and story courtesy of www.bbc.com, Aug. 27, 2008
Happy Labor Day!
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about our attitude toward work?
God wants us to bring Him glory and honor through the work that we do. Paul is reminding us that no matter what job we have to do, or who asks us to do it, God wants us to honor Him as we work. Sometimes it's hard to work at a job that we hate or to work under a boss/supervisor that we may not get along with. So, instead of working diligently and with a good attitude, we take the easy way out, cheat, or grumble through the task at hand. We forget that work (school, job, or otherwise) is a privilege and that we can either bring God glory, or put His name to shame by the way we respond. We forget that others are watching us and quite possibly judging God by our actions.
When we do our jobs for the approval of man, choose the easy way out, or work with a bad attitude, we are not honoring God. But, if we choose to adopt Paul's perspective of work, choosing to work for God's approval rather than man's, we can begin to see challenges and struggles at our jobs and schools as opportunities for growth and ministering to others.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for the privilege to work, have a job, and/or go to school. Thank Him for the gifts and abilities that He's given to you and ask Him to help you use them for His glory and honor.
- Confess and talk to God about the ways you have cheated or been dishonest, worked with a poor attitude, or sought the approval of man rather than God. Ask for God's forgiveness and ask Him to help you to seek only His approval.
- Memorize today's verse and pray daily that God will help you find ways you can honor and glorify Him at school, when you're doing your chores, at your job, through your homework, etc.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Pray that others will be attracted to your story and God's story as they witness your attitude and response toward work.
- If you are in a job or school situation that is causing you a lot of grief or stress, pray and give it to God. Ask God to use it to grow you spiritually and that through it, He would give you opportunities to connect your story and God's Story to their story.
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