14 DAY TRIAL // Everyone wants a few extra days of vacation. However, from simply wanting that, to actually misleading the managers of the company you are working at is a long way. An Australia-based website is offering solutions to those who want to take some extra days off work or to get out of a gym membership, on such grounds as disease or pregnancy.
DoctorsNoteStore claims to be "the fastest, most reliable provider of quality, effective fake professional documents on the web," with 11 years of practice backing up their statements. A note, which is signed by a real doctor, as the website says, costs about $40, which makes the disclaimer posted at the bottom of the website seem incompatible with the idea of paying.
"Although our products look extremely authentic, they are for educational/entertainment use only. We are not responsible for misuse of our products. Please use our products with caution and care. DoctorsNoteStore do not encourage illegal use of doctor's excuse notes and this is not intended to substitute the advice of legal council." The question that araises is why anyone would pay $40 if they just wanted to have a look at a false doctor's note.
The Australian Medical Association underscored the seriousness of the matter. "These fake certificates are more trouble than their perceived worth." it said in an official press release. If misleading your boss is not a penal offense, using someone's identity is, as the group that set up the website does with the doctors' names, whose signatures are counterfeited.
"Forged certificates also put employers in a difficult position. They will question what is fake and what is real." warns AMA President, Dr. Rosanna Capolingua. Overall, the business seems to do more damage than good, because employees who rely on the illicit method can get fired in no time. Although authorities were asked to intervene, they said that, as long the website does not have an office in Australia, they cannot press any charges against the owners.