Imagine answering a call where a “DEA agent” claims your medical license is at risk unless you comply immediately. Heart racing yet? Well, that’s exactly what some fraudsters are counting on. These impersonation scams are targeting healthcare professionals, and the New Orleans Division of the DEA is on high alert to protect you.
A wave of scam calls is hitting doctors and pharmacists, with fraudsters posing as DEA agents and threatening practitioners with license revocation or even arrest. They aim to steal sensitive information or extort money, claiming this is essential to resolve alleged legal issues.
How It Works
This scam unfolds through carefully orchestrated calls:
- Contact from “DEA”: A caller poses as a DEA agent, often using real names of known officials or even local law enforcement personnel. They may provide fake badge numbers to seem more credible.
- Aggressive and Urgent: The fraudsters adopt a harsh tone, stating that if the target doesn’t comply, they’ll face arrest, prosecution, or loss of their DEA registration.
- Claims of Accusations: In some cases, scammers say patients have made accusations or there’s an investigation linked to the practitioner’s DEA or National Provider Identifier number.
- Request for Sensitive Information: The caller asks for private information, like a Social Security number, and may demand payment to “clear” the accusations or prevent arrest.
Who’s Targeted?
The main targets of this scam are healthcare professionals, especially doctors and pharmacists, who rely on their licenses and DEA registrations to practice. The threats of legal action and registration revocation make this scam particularly alarming.
Real-Life Example
In a recent case, a doctor received a call from someone claiming to be a DEA Special Agent. The “agent” warned him that his DEA license could be revoked due to a patient complaint. Luckily, the doctor realized something was off and refused to give any personal information or payment, reporting the incident instead.
Why You Should Care
These scams can cause serious financial and reputational damage. Healthcare providers may lose money if they fall for the extortion and risk identity theft if they share personal information. More importantly, the emotional distress of potentially losing their professional credentials is highly impactful.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim to these impersonation scams, follow these steps:
- Verify the Caller’s Identity: DEA agents do not contact people by phone to demand personal information or payment. Hang up and contact the DEA directly.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never give out sensitive details, like your Social Security or DEA registration numbers, over the phone to unknown callers.
- Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a call like this, report it immediately to the FBI via ic3.gov and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Stay Aware of DEA Protocols: The DEA will only notify individuals of investigations or legal actions through official letters or in person—not by phone.
Quick Tip #1: "Did you know? The DEA will never ask for sensitive information or payment over the phone—if someone does, it’s a scam."
Quick Tip #2: "Pro Tip: Report all scam calls to the authorities immediately. Reporting helps track down fraudsters and prevents others from becoming victims."
Have you or someone you know encountered suspicious calls like these? Share your story in the comments below to help protect others from this scam.
Stay safe, stay informed,
Key Terms Explained
- DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration): A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice that enforces laws on controlled substances.
- National Provider Identifier (NPI): A unique identification number for healthcare providers in the United States.
- Social Security Number (SSN): A nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens and residents for tracking earnings and benefits.
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