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Scam Alert: Fraudulent Calls Impersonating DEA Agents Targeting Mississippi Physicians

MSBML News Story

 

Key Takeaways

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a DEA agent: do not call them back, do not share any information, and do not pay anything. Report the call to ic3.gov, reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the DEA Diversion hotline at 1-877-792-2873.

The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure is alerting licensees to an active phone scam in which callers impersonate U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and threaten medical license suspension and/or revocation over fabricated investigations.

Several Mississippi physicians, including MSBML's own executive director, recently received voicemails from callers claiming to be DEA officers with fake badge numbers. The callers stated the physicians were under investigation by the state medical board for "illegal activity" and demanded a callback to a personal phone number, warning that the physicians' medical licenses would be suspended and/or revoked if they did not respond quickly.

This is a scam.

Watch the breakdown

Watch MSBML's breakdown of the actual scam voicemail. Every red flag is flagged on screen.

Red Flags from a Recent Scam Voicemail

The voicemail received by Mississippi physicians shows several markers of an impersonation scam:

  • The caller identified themselves as an "Officer" from "DEA Drug Enforcement Administration." DEA personnel are Special Agents, not Officers, and "DEA Drug Enforcement Administration" is redundant. A real agent would never use that phrasing.
  • The caller opened by reciting a badge number. Real federal agents do not announce themselves that way.
  • The caller alleged that the physician's medical license was under investigation. The DEA does not investigate medical licenses. State medical boards do.
  • The caller referenced vague "illegal activity" with no patient name, prescription, date, or case detail. Real investigators reference specifics.
  • The caller created artificial urgency, warning that the license would be "revoked". The DEA cannot revoke a medical license. Only a state medical board can. Revocation requires formal board proceedings, never a phone call. 

Scammers may also reference a physician's NPI or state license number (both are publicly available), spoof legitimate phone numbers, and eventually demand payment, gift cards, or a "bond fee" to resolve the fabricated investigation.

What Real DEA Contact Looks Like

The DEA has publicly stated that its agents do not contact medical practitioners by telephone to demand money, request personal information, or threaten arrest, suspension, or revocation of a DEA registration. Real federal contact happens in person or through official written correspondence on agency letterhead. The DEA will never:

  • Call to demand money, gift cards, or wire transfers.
  • Request personal or sensitive information by phone.
  • Threaten immediate arrest or license suspension during a phone call.
  • Resolve an investigation by voicemail or callback.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

  1. Do not call the number back. Engaging with the scammer increases your risk.
  2. Do not share any personal or professional information, including your DEA registration number, NPI, Social Security number, date of birth, or banking details.
  3. Do not make any payment. No legitimate federal or state agency will demand payment by phone.
  4. Report the call to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  5. Report the call to the DEA Diversion Control hotline at 1-877-792-2873.

If you have questions about the legitimacy of any communication claiming to come from the Board, use the verified contact information on the MSBML Contact page.

Additional Resources

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