Fraudsters have set-up a network of bogus websites in a bid to cheat the CSCS skills card checking system.

The scam was rumbled by construction identity validation specialist PPAC Solutions and some of the fake sites have been been shut down.

But the sophisticated fraud could still see more unqualified workers get on sites because of its complexity.

The scam involves setting up replica sites posing as the official place to validate cards offered by qualification body GQA.

Each bogus card has a unique URL associated with it by scammers which links to a fake website.

PPAC Solutions discovered a string of workers on major sites who were failing their stringent checks but were still being green-lighted on other jobs following routine checks.

Further investigations discovered their physical cards were being scanned and checked against the linked bogus verification websites.

Hundreds of fake sites have been accessed to incorrectly approve cards containing bogus qualifications.

The scam is designed to offer a gateway to sites for untrained workers holding fake cards or qualifications they have overpaid for from fraudsters.

One industry expert said: “It’s ingenuous and hard to stop because each dodgy card links to a unique fake checking wesbite URL meaning they can pop up constantly and a lot of contractors are completely unaware they are being tricked.”

PPAC owner Dean Tuhey said: “Workers must ensure they complete training through accredited centres.

“Sites should use the Smart Checker or approved validation partners, such as PPAC, to properly interrogate card activity and identify potential fraud.

“The more robust the verification process ID , right to work and skill card checks are, the easier it will be for the construction sector to eliminate this illegal behaviour.”

A CSCS spokesperson said: “CSCS Smart Check is the only industry-endorsed solution for verifying cards that carry the CSCS logo, and contractors should use it to check every card presented on site. Smart Check has been developed specifically to strengthen card checking, confirm qualifications and training, and protect sites from fraud.

“The issue referenced relates to fake GQA cards distributed several years ago. While this is not a new problem, it serves as a reminder that a small number of fraudulent cards remain in circulation and regular checking using CSCS Smart Check is essential.

“These counterfeit cards can often be identified by the poor quality of the GQA logo, a coloured (rather than silver) CSCS hologram, inconsistencies in fonts and text alignment, and reduced clarity in the background design. However, regardless of design, all CSCS-logoed cards should be verified using CSCS Smart Check.

“Where a GQA card is suspected to be fraudulent, site teams should retain the card, record the relevant details, and return it to GQA. Suspected fake cards can be reported to GQA via https://gqaqualifications.com/.”