Website selling fake sicknotes for £25 each being investigated

The NHS fraud squad is investigating a website that sells fake NHS sicknotes for £25.

The authentic-looking documents are almost identical to genuine letters from a GP or hospital.

Alongside the doctor's name, the note details the illness of the buyer's choice, the number of 'sick' days needed and the medical facility they supposedly attended.

The site, called doctorsnotestore.com, advertises a guaranteed 48-hour delivery of the certificates written on official NHS notepaper, with an authentic stamp.

However, a spokesman for the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service warned that anyone caught using a fake doctor's note risks prosecution.

He said: 'The NHS logo and letters are registered trademarks owned by the Department of Health. We can and will take action to ensure the NHS logo and name are not misused in any way.'

The website also sells false medical certificates, solicitors' letters and holiday insurance claims.

It carries a disclaimer saying that the documents should be used only for novelty purposes  -  but there is also a section with comments from satisfied customers.

One says: 'I could have been fired for missing two weeks of work, but my employer didn't suspect a thing.'

The website shows examples of the fake notes - under the crucial claim, 'for novelty use only'

Another says: 'I have been using your fake doctor's notes for five years now  -  I get an extra two weeks' holiday every year because of your perfect sicknotes.'

A spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions warned that the site could be costing employers thousands of pounds, but said it would be hard to shut down.

She said: 'Selling fake letters like this certainly sounds like fraud in some way.

'As the site has a disclaimer at the very bottom it would be really difficult to bring anything against them.'