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The ICB has detected an increase in the number of bookkeepers falsely claiming ICB status. Many use the ICB’s crest and designatory letters.
Some of the offenders are students who have not taken or, more worryingly have failed the ICB’s examinations. Others are completely unknown to us and have just decided that being seen to be a member gives them a huge advantage.
“As far as we are concerned”, says ICB director of IT, James Carter, “this is fraud”.
“We intend to take strong action against anyone found making false claims. Where we have sufficient evidence we shall certainly prosecute. The ICB may also publish details of people making false claims. These people are harming ICB members, and probably the profession, by their actions. They tend to be people who are not qualified or are qualified with another body and are simply not up to the ICB’s high standards.”
James has introduced sophisticated systems to track down fraudulent users of the ICB’s crest or name and is alerted within thirty minutes of any new use of the crest or name on the internet.
The ICB’s reputation has grown substantially in recent years, to the stage where claiming to be a Certified Bookkeeper is a huge benefit. Obviously people think it is worth the risk and, unfortunately, new clients often omit the correct checks.
Please contact the ICB immediately on 0845 060 2345 or by email at memberservices@bookkeepers.org.uk if you suspect any person is falsely claiming to be a member. Please provide as much detail as possible, including the person’s name, company name, website address, or any other information you have and the matter will be immediately investigated.
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