Over the last few years, there has been a lot of talk and controversy surrounding rules and restrictions surrounding Covid-19. Some businesses and organizations require masks, while others will allow an exception if you have a doctor’s note. And there has been lots of discussions around faking doctor’s notes.
If you’re thinking of faking a doctor’s note, there are some things you should know. We’re going to cover fake doctor’s notes and answer the most common questions in the article below.
Can you fake a doctor’s note?
Can you fake a doctor’s note? Sure, anyone can grab a piece of paper and a pen, forge a note from their doctor, and sign their name. However, that doesn’t mean you should and it certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be negative implications if you do.
But let’s take a step back here. A doctor’s note is pretty self-explanatory in that it’s a note from your doctor outlining a medical condition. In theory, that note should allow you to avoid a requirement that can exacerbate your health condition.
In essence, it’s a “get out of doing something” type of card. The most common exemption in recent years has been the requirement to wear a mask. Due to Covid-19, many businesses and organizations required masks in their establishments, which they were allowed to do because they are private businesses.
Many people took offense to this and started requesting doctor’s notes that detail a medical condition with the hope that the business wouldn’t enforce the mask mandate on them. The more extreme folks actually forged a doctor’s note.
What happens if you fake a doctor’s note?
Faking a doctor’s note is illegal and considered fraud and fake prescriptions are especially egregious. If you fake a doctor’s note, you can be charged with forgery and fraud, which may result in jail time or fines.
Impersonating another person, especially for your own benefit, can result in being charged with forgery and fraud. The forgery comes from the impersonation of the doctor, while the fraud comes from receiving a benefit as a result of that forgery.
Now, if you fake a doctor’s note to get out of work, it’s unlikely you’ll get charged and face jail time or a fine. However, if you take that doctor’s note to get special treatment or financial compensation, especially when it comes to things like taxes, you are much more likely to face charges and jail time.
Regardless, you should not fake a doctor’s note for any reason or under any circumstances. If you need a doctor’s note for a valid medical reason, ask your doctor and they are always more than willing to write one for you. It’s just not worth the risk to fake a doctor’s note.
Can you go to jail for a fake doctor’s note?
Yes, you can go to jail for a fake doctor’s note if you used it to commit fraud.
Fraud is a both a civil and criminal crime, especially if it results in a financial gain. So while committing a doctor’s note isn’t fraud in and of itself, it’s a charge that often accompanies fake doctor’s note because of why you created the fake note in the first place.
If you create a fake doctor’s note to scam a business, receive financial gain, or trick someone into doing something, you can be charged with fraud.
And alongside fraud is forgery, which is another civil and criminal crime. Forgery is when you impersonate someone else and faking a doctor’s note is considered forgery because you are impersonating that doctor.
All doctors go through years of extensive education, training, and certifications to become a doctor. As a result, their diagnoses and opinions hold a lot of weight. If you go around impersonating a doctor, you can hurt other people and damage the reputation of the doctor.
And fraud and forgery are just two crimes that you are likely to get charged with and end up in jail. There are a myriad of other charges that can also fall into your lap if you forge a doctor’s note.
Can you fake a doctor’s note for work?
You should not forge a doctor’s note for work because it is a crime and if the business or doctor decides to, they can press charges.
This question is a little more interesting because it’s a lot more common. Most people aren’t forging a doctor’s note to pay less on their taxes, which is a serious crime.
The majority of forged doctor’s notes are to get out of work. And you’re unlikely to get charged with fraud or forgery if you fake a note to do that.
However, just because it’s unlikely doesn’t mean it’s not possible. There are still repercussions for forging a doctor’s not to get out of work, including being reprimanded, fired, or even charged with fraud and forgery by the company.
Is it likely? Not really, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
As a result, it’s in your best interests both morally, civilly, and financially to note forge any doctor’s notes to get out of work or otherwise.
Can you get fired for a fake doctor’s note?
Yes, you can get fired for faking a doctor’s note. Forging a doctor’s note is a crime and as a result, any company can legally fire you for doing so.
As a result, it’s best not to fake any notes for your work, from your doctor or otherwise. At the very least it’s considered lying to your company, which is grounds for firing.
And at the worst, your company can press charges, sue, and even inform your doctor of the forgery, resulting in a myriad of other crimes.
In the end, it’s just not worth it. Ask yourself why you’re forging the doctor’s note. And then talk to your manager and figure out a solution. If they can’t or choose not to work with you, then maybe it’s time you start looking for another job instead of opening yourself up to lawsuits and criminal charges.
Is it illegal to fake a doctor’s note for school?
Yes, it is illegal to fake a doctor’s note for school because it is considered fraud and forgery, which are both crimes.
Is it likely you’ll get charged with a crime and end up in jail or with a fine? No, it’s not likely, but it is still possible.
And on the other hand, you generally don’t need a doctor’s note to get out of school. A note from your parents or just missing class are far more acceptable courses of action than forging a doctor’s note. If you’re sick or trying to stay healthy, ask your doctor for a note and they’ll likely give you one anyways.
But similar to work, ask yourself why you’re forging the note and if there’s another way. Can you talk to your teachers? Is it a valid reason? Can you ask your parents for a note?
There are a number of other ways to get out of school for a valid reason. You don’t need to forge a doctor’s note.
Should you fake a doctor’s note for an airline?
No, you should not fake a doctor’s note for an airline because those companies are very strict when it comes to rules since they are federally regulated. A forged doctor’s note can result in charges, lawsuits, and a lifetime ban from the airline.
Out of all the companies out there, airlines are some of the least likely to mess around. You might get away with it a school or a laid back company, but not at airlines.
This is because airlines are heavily regulated by the federal government. And so they don’t allow any room for shenanigans. And forging a doctor’s note is a huge shenanigan, to put it lightly.
In the end, you should not provide a forged doctor’s note for any reason to an airline. They likely will investigate it further. And if they find out it is fraudulent, they will pursue you to to the fullest extent that the law allows them.
Not to mention give you a lifetime ban from the airline. And since airlines share those types of lists, you’ll likely be blacklisted from many other airlines as well.
Conclusion
There was a lot covered in this article when it comes to fake doctor’s notes. To recap, you can get in trouble, you likely will get in trouble, and that trouble can include civil charges, jail time, fines, getting fired, and more.
In the end, it’s just not worth it. If you have a valid medical reason, get a real doctor’s note. If you don’t have a valid medical reason, then you shouldn’t be exempt from any of the rules anyway.
