Division Announcements
Reports indicate that individuals posing as officials from the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) are making fraudulent calls and employing intimidation tactics to mislead healthcare licensees.
Recently, scammers have used spoofed phone numbers to disguise their calls as legitimate DOPL communications. Licensees have recounted distressing experiences in which these imposters falsely claim to be DOPL officials, threatening severe consequences such as license suspensions tied to fictitious drug trafficking investigations.
In one instance, a licensee received a call from someone claiming to be the "Chief Investigation Officer" at DOPL. The scammer alleged that the individual’s license was under threat due to an ongoing FBI investigation. The scammer pressured the licensee not to disclose any details and instructed them to go to a nearby UPS store to receive further instructions via fax, insisting that they could not hang up until the conversation was completed.
DOPL has confirmed that these callers are not affiliated with their office and that no investigations of this nature are being conducted. We want to emphasize that DOPL will always contact a licensee directly in the event the agency is taking legitimate action regarding that licensee.
Key Takeaways for Licensed Professionals:
- DOPL representatives will never issue immediate threats regarding license suspensions. If you receive such a call, it is a scam.
- Do not engage with the caller or provide any personal information. If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately.
- Confirm the authenticity of any communication by contacting DOPL directly at 801-530-6628 or via email at [email protected].
This uptick in scam calls follows an earlier advisory from DOPL regarding similar attempts to deceive licensed professionals, which included fake letters featuring DOPL logos and seals.
We urge all healthcare licensees to remain vigilant against these fraudulent activities. If you encounter any suspicious calls or communications, please report them directly to DOPL.
The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) has recently received reports that scammers are spoofing official DOPL phone numbers and sending fraudulent letters to licensees, threatening suspension or revocation of their license if they do not comply with demands.
DOPL first received reports that scammers were targeting nurses, specifically. However, new reports indicate the scammers are targeting other licensed professionals in Utah and show no indication of stopping.
The scammers reportedly call the licensee first and then follow up with a letter claiming the professional's license would be suspended for alleged criminal or unprofessional activity. The scammers demand immediate payment for a "fine" in order for the professional to avoid a license suspension.
This letter is especially concerning because it carries the DOPL logo, the official state seal, and the agency’s contact information. The letters will also often feature detailed information about the licensee, such as their name and license number.
DOPL communicates with licensees several times before suspending or revoking a license. It is never a surprise.
What should you do if you receive a concerning call or letter that appears to be from DOPL?
Hang up the phone immediately. To verify the caller's claims and/or the letter's authenticity, call DOPL directly at 801-530-6628 or email [email protected].
Click here to see a copy of the scam letter.
The Salt Lake City Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit has informed the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) about an imposter scam that appears to be targeting professionals working in medical fields.
The scammers allegedly spoof the phone numbers of law enforcement agencies, calling potential victims and claiming to have a warrant out for their arrest. In some cases, the scammers appear to have limited personal information about their potential victims, claiming they've sent or tried to serve a subpoena at a previous or current address. The scammers will then instruct the victim to buy various gift cards from different locations and to provide the scammers with the numbers on the back.
As a reminder, law enforcement will never contact you to collect on a warrant over the phone. If you encounter one of these scams, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
