Being a full BPCA member is a mark of quality and professionalism. The entry criteria and ongoing requirements for membership are the highest in the pest management industry.
Fortunately, cases of BPCA membership fraud are rare. However, through the due diligence of an auditor, we have received evidence of two recent cases where forged membership certificates were being used.
The BPCA member logo is hard-earned and so it’s important that any instances of misuse are reported to us for investigation.
That’s why there are serious consequences and we take every step the law affords when we come across membership fraud.
How can you help?
Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to be everywhere at once, so we rely heavily on third-party help.
That’s why we’re asking you to keep an eye out for any suspicious use of BPCA logos or membership certificates, whether that’s on the internet or out in the field.
Forged membership certificates can be quite easy to spot if you know what to look for. There are a few things on a real certificate that are usually missing from a fake one, such as:
- A signature from the current BPCA President
- Membership number
- Valid dates (hint: the certificate expiry date and membership year should be different)
- Current BPCA logo and branding.
Remember: you’re paying for your membership and working hard to meet our criteria.
We take this issue very seriously, as we know the value of BPCA membership and what it means for your business.
If you have any questions about membership or think you’ve come across membership fraud, please get in touch with our team at membership@bpca.org.uk or call 01332 294 288.
Source: Online