News & Media
Michigan Not Immune from DEA Scam
MSMS recently learned of an extortion attempt by scam artists who, posing as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents, call and threaten physicians’ offices. This appears to be part of a larger international extortion scheme that has been making the rounds for several years.
The DEA issued a press release warning about such calls to both physicians and consumers. According to the DEA, the criminals try to intimidate victims by alleging the victims have acted illegally regarding the prescribing or purchase of controlled substances. Posing as DEA special agents or law enforcement officials from other agencies, these imposters threaten enforcement action, arrest and/or search and seizure if the victims are not willing to pay a fine, usually thousands of dollars.
The DEA states that no DEA agent will ever contact physicians or other members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment. If you receive a call like this, refuse the demand for payment, hang up and immediately report the threat using the DEA's online form. Note the name and phone number used by the imposter, the date of the call, and amount of payment requested. The DEA also asks that you include a call back number so that a DEA investigator can contact you for additional information. Online reporting will greatly assist DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal activity.
Finally, be wary of any calls or questionnaires asking for vital, confidential information, including your DEA number, social security number and credit card data under the guise of DEA enforcement activity or updating physician profiles. Do not respond without verifying the authenticity of any such requests.
The Federal Trade Commission has established a Scam Alerts Website which includes the latest information on trending scams, resources, and practical tips such as 10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud.