News & Media
Medical Practitioners Targeted in New DEA Impersonation Scam
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a critical warning to healthcare professionals about a disturbing new fraud scheme. Scammers are impersonating DEA agents in letters and phone calls, falsely claiming that the registrant is under investigation.
These deceptive tactics are presumably designed to steal personal information or extort money. The DEA emphasizes that it never contacts registrants about investigative matters by phone and will never demand money or personal information.
What to Watch For:
- Unsolicited calls or letters claiming you're under DEA investigation.
- Demands for payment, gift cards, or personal details.
- Threats of arrest or license revocation unless you comply.
If you are contacted by a person purporting to work for DEA and stating that you are under investigation, please report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. You may also wish to submit the incident to the Federal Trade Commission, which takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and shares information with more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies.
For any victims who have given personally identifiable information like a Social Security number or DEA registration number to a scammer, go to www.identitytheft.gov to learn how to protect against identity theft. Reporting these scams will help authorities find, arrest, and stop the criminals engaged in this fraud.
What to Do:
If you're contacted by someone claiming to be a DEA agent:
- Do not share any personal information.
- Report the incident to the FBI via www.ic3.gov.
- You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If you've shared sensitive information, visit www.identitytheft.gov for steps to protect yourself.
Important to Remember:
- The DEA does not conduct investigations or demand payment over the phone.
- Legitimate legal or investigatory matters are delivered in person or via official correspondence only.
- Federal law enforcement officers are prohibited from requesting cash or gift cards.
Awareness is the first line of defense. Share this alert with your colleagues and staff to help stop these scams before they start.