The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) has issued a warning about fraudulent phone calls targeting dental and other medical professionals. These scammers are impersonating state officials, falsely stating that an investigation is underway concerning the professionals' licenses. Their goal is to extract sensitive personal information from the victims.
Recent reports indicate a resurgence of such scams, mirroring similar incidents that occurred last November. Alleged state officials have been contacting dental licensees, both current and former, to create a sense of urgency and fear.
The scammers employ a tactic known as Caller ID spoofing, where they manipulate the Caller ID display to imitate a genuine government agency's number. This adds a layer of credibility to their claims, thus increasing the likelihood of obtaining the victims' personal information.
"These scammers make false threats of investigations in an attempt to obtain sensitive personal information," warned the DCCA in their press release, highlighting the sophisticated means employed by these individuals to deceive their targets.
The department advises caution, urging medical professionals to verify the authenticity of such calls through official channels before sharing any personal details.