The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) received reports that persons pretending to be from one of the health related boards are contacting licensees by phone and mail about the status of their licenses. The scammers are altering their information that shows on caller ID to appear to be from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the Board phone number (“spoofing”) and have also forged Department of State letterhead. The scammers are threatening license suspension for failure to act and falsely claiming involvement with federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA. The scammers are known to aggressively threaten license suspension for a failure to provide requested personal information or when asked for a phone number where they can be reached.
BPOA reminds licensees and applicants of the following:
- We will NOT contact you by phone to request credit card payment, wire transfer or a money order.
- We will NEVER request payment be wired or otherwise transferred to a foreign country.
- Do NOT give your personal or financial information over the phone, text message or fax, including your zip code.
- BPOA will NOT threaten you. The Department initiates disciplinary action through an administrative process. If you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action, you will receive notice by certified mail and/or personal service.
- We WILL provide you with a contact name and phone number if you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action.
- CONTACT your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police if you believe you have been the victim of a scam.
You can find the original alert on the Department of State’s Website here.