Fraud Alert: Scammers Targeting Medical License Holders 

 Posted on September 07, 2021 in Medical License Defense

Over the last few months, federal and state agencies across the country have issued warnings to health care professionals who hold various licenses to watch out for phone calls and letters from scammers claiming to be from state medical boards, claiming the person’s medical license has been suspended. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are currently investigating these alleged scams. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from the Illinois Medical Board threatening that your license is in jeopardy, it is important to contact an Illinois professional license defense attorney right away.

Details of the Scam

According to details released by law enforcement, the scammers will contact a health professional usually by phone. The call appears to be legitimate to the recipient because the scammers have been able to alter the phone number on the person’s caller ID so that it appears that the call is actually coming in from the state’s medical board. 

There are a couple of different methods the scammers are using to commit this fraud. In one of the scams being used, the person is contacted and told their medical license has been stolen and was used to commit criminal acts. The scammer claims these criminal acts are being investigated by the FBI, DEA, and other law enforcement agencies. The person is told their license has been suspended and that in order to have it reinstated, they must pay a bond.

In some instances, after the initial phone call, the scammer follows up with a letter that is written on forged letterhead and signed by fake licensing board representatives. Some people have reported that the scammers are also threatening license suspension if the person does not provide the scammer with their social security number and other personal information.

How Do I Know if I Am Contacted by a Scammer?

The scam has occurred in multiple states, including here in Illinois, and has targeted doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and psychiatrists. Every medical license holder should be aware that no state medical board will ever contact a license holder by phone and demand a credit card payment, wire transfer, or money order payment. No board will ever demand or suggest payment of fees, fines, or civil penalties can be paid with a gift card or wired or transferred to another country.

No one at the state board is allowed to threaten you. Any action taken against a medical professional regarding their license can only be done through an administrative process. All notifications of any investigation or disciplinary action are done through certified mail.

Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Lawyer

If you do have a situation where a legitimate issue has arisen over your medical license, a skilled Illinois medical license defense attorney can help. Attorney Joseph Bodgan has been advocating for medical professionals for more than two decades and understands the complexities of these types of cases. To learn more, call The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. at  630-310-1267 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://www.idfpr.com/News/2020/2020%2002%2020%20Board%20Phone%20Scam%20Release.pdf

https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pages/Scams.aspx