DEA Warns Physicians of Widespread Impersonation Scam
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a critical alert to medical practitioners regarding a sophisticated and widespread fraud scheme where scammers are impersonating DEA personnel to extort money or steal sensitive personal information.
Scammers are targeting physicians, pharmacists, and other DEA registrants—and even non-registrants—through fraudulent phone calls and letters. The imposters often claim the recipient is under investigation for drug-related violations, sometimes referencing their National Provider Identifier (NPI) or DEA registration numbers to sound credible.
How the Scam Works
The fraudulent calls often involve:
Threats: Scammers use an aggressive, urgent tone, threatening arrest, prosecution, or license revocation if the victim does not comply.
False Claims: They allege the physician's registration number has been involved in illegal activity or that patients have made accusations.
Demands for Payment: The ultimate goal is to demand immediate payment via methods like wire transfer, gift cards, or cash to "pay a fine" and avoid enforcement action.
Key Reminders from the DEA
The DEA stresses that their legitimate personnel will NEVER do the following:
Demand Money or Payment over the phone or by email. Federal law enforcement is prohibited from demanding cash or gift cards.
Request Sensitive Information such as bank account details, Social Security numbers, or DEA registration numbers over the phone.
Call Registrants to notify them of an investigation.
Legitimate DEA notifications regarding an investigation or legal action are made in person or via an official letter.
What to Do If You're Contacted
Do Not Share Information: Refuse to give any personal or financial information.
Hang Up Immediately: Terminate the call.
Report the Incident: Report the scam to the FBI via the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Protect Your Identity: If you have already provided sensitive information, visit www.identitytheft.gov for recovery steps.
Awareness and caution are the best defense against these malicious tactics. Sharing this information with colleagues and staff is crucial to protecting the healthcare community.