Health Info > Telehealth Published on : March 22, 2024

How To Identify a Fake Medical Certificate?

Written by Sai Pragna Chagarla, Writer at Hola Health

In Australia, a medical certificate is like a note from a doctor that says you are too sick to go to work or school. Fake medical certificates are also referred to as fraudulent or forged medical certificates. These documents are fabricated to falsely claim illness or injury.

According to the rules in the Fair Work Act and many work agreements, employers can ask for proof when employees take time off for personal reasons. Usually, this means getting a doctor’s certificate. Sick certificates play a pivotal role in verifying the legitimacy of absences from work or school due to illness or injury. However, the prevalence of counterfeit medical certificates poses a significant challenge for employers, educational institutions, and healthcare providers.

With the advent of telehealth, it is now possible to get a medical certificate from registered doctors online. This digital shift could be a boon to many who have mobility issues or want to relax and recover on a ‘sickie.’ Understanding how to identify fake medical certificates is crucial for upholding the integrity of healthcare systems. This also ensures the authenticity of documentation.

What is a fake medical certificate?

It is a piece of paper that says you are sick when you are not. People might use these to get out of work or school when they are not sick. According to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this happens especially on Mondays or Fridays when people want a longer weekend.

In Australia, full-time workers get 10 paid sick days each year under the Fair Work Act 2009. Part-time workers get a portion of that depending on how much they work. According to an article, Australians were taking 90 million sick days per year which is costing billions to the economy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the amount of work hours has decreased in 2022 with more people on sick leave. If there is a genuine reason for this, then the employee can get a legitimate doctor’s certificate online or offline. If an employee is in the tradition of “chucking a sickie,” then employers should become aware of the factors that determine the authenticity of a sick certificate.

How to spot a fake medical certificate?

Several key indicators can help you determine its authenticity. Here are some steps to help:

Look for Mistakes: Check for spelling mistakes or wrong dates. Pay attention to the formatting and layout of the medical certificate. Authentic certificates are usually printed on official letterheads and may include official stamps, seals, or logos. Be cautious of certificates that appear poorly formatted or lack professional quality.

Check the Doctor’s Details: Real medical certificates have the doctor’s name, phone number, and signature. If these details are missing or look weird, it might be fake.

Ask Questions: If you are not sure if a medical certificate is real, ask questions. Ask the person who gave it to you about the doctor or where they got it from. If the certificate is obtained under suspicious circumstances or from an unfamiliar healthcare provider, exercise caution and consider verifying its authenticity before accepting it as valid documentation.

Contact the Doctor: Employers and educational institutions have the right to verify the authenticity of medical certificates by contacting the issuing healthcare provider directly. You can call or email the healthcare provider to check if the certificate is real. If the doctor’s office says they did not give out any certificates, it is fake.

Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off about the medical certificate, trust your instincts. It is better to be safe than sorry.

What information is included in a doctor's certificate?

A doctor’s certificate is a document that tells others you are sick and cannot go to work or school. It is important to be aware of what’s included in a sick certificate online or offline to decipher whether it is fake or valid.

Here is what you can expect to find in a typical doctor’s certificate:

Patient Information: This includes the patient’s full name, date of birth, and sometimes their address and contact details. It ensures that the certificate is specific to the individual and cannot be used by someone else.
Date of Consultation: The date when the patient visited the doctor to obtain the certificate. One must note that back-dated certificates should not be given in Australia except for some circumstances. The certificate should be given for the day of consultation or the days following in a multi-day medical certificate.

Diagnosis or Reason for Certificate: The medical reason or diagnosis for which the patient sought medical attention. This could be an illness, injury, or other medical condition that requires time off. This should be done adhering to doctor-patient confidentiality.
Duration of Incapacity: The period for which the patient is deemed unfit to work or attend school due to their medical condition.
Doctor’s Details: This includes the name, contact information, and signature of the healthcare provider issuing the certificate. The doctor should be registered and licensed by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) or the Australian Government medical body. The online doctor’s certificate will also contain the doctor’s AHPRA number. It verifies the authenticity of the document and allows for verification if necessary.
Logo and other details: In the case of a telehealth medical certificate, one should also look for the logo of the provider, their contact information, license number etc. Some telehealth providers also mention which states they can provide the medical certificate for such as online medical certificate QLD, NSW, VIC, ACT, SA and more.
Additional Notes: Any additional information or comments deemed relevant by the healthcare provider may be included in the certificate.

What are the risks?

Getting a fake medical certificate in Australia can lead to serious problems. Here are some simple explanations of the risks:

Losing Trust: If someone finds out your medical certificate is fake, you could get in trouble at work or school. Your boss or teacher might not trust you anymore, and you could even lose your job or face other consequences. Your coworkers or classmates might feel like you are not being honest, which can hurt your relationships with them.
Legal Trouble: Using these is dishonest, and it is against the law. You could face legal consequences if you get caught, including fines, legal action, or criminal charges for forgery or fraud.
Hurting Others: When you use a fake medical certificate, it can put extra pressure on your coworkers or classmates. They might have to do more work to cover for you, which is not fair to them.
Running Out of Real Sick Leave: If you use up your sick leave with a fake certificate when you are not sick, you might not have any left when you need it. This means you will not get paid if you are genuinely ill and must take time off work.

What does actual online medical certificate look like?

An actual online medical certificate typically resembles a formal document that includes the following elements:

Header: The name and logo of the healthcare provider or telehealth service issuing the certificate.
Patient Information: Patient’s full name, date of birth, and contact details.
Date of Consultation: The date when the patient consulted the healthcare provider for their medical condition and obtained the certificate.
Diagnosis or Reason for Consultation: The patient’s medical condition or reason for seeking medical attention.
Duration of Incapacity: The period for which the patient is deemed unfit for work or other activities.
Doctor’s Details: The name, credentials, contact information, and signature of the healthcare provider who issued the certificate.

Security Features: To prevent fraud or tampering, online medical certificates may include security features such as watermarks, digital signatures, or unique identifiers.

It’s important to note that providing or using fake medical certificates is dishonest and unethical. Overall, the risks of obtaining or using one in Australia are significant. They can have far-reaching consequences for individuals, employers, and the broader community. It is essential to prioritize honesty and integrity in all aspects of healthcare and employment. One should be cautious of fake certificates. Online medical certificates should be obtained from legitimate providers to maintain trust and accountability in society.

Reference

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Media Release: Reference Link
HR Law Article: Reference Link
Employee relations strategies: Reference Link
RACGP- A fraudulent Certificate: Reference Link
University of Melbourne: Reference Link
The West Australian – Fake medical certificates: Reference Link
AMA (Australian Medical Association) – Health and legal concerns over fake sick notes: Reference Link
Australian Chamber of commerce: Reference Link
The new daily – Sick days research: Reference Link
Medical Council, New South Wales: Reference Link