Several Iowa licensing boards, including those overseeing doctors, dentists, and nurses, have received recent reports of scammers calling licensees and posing as board investigators. The callers claim to have received complaints against the licensee, according to a July 14 announcement.
Scam callers are able to manipulate Caller ID so that it displays the legitimate board's name and phone number. They also have access to license numbers in some cases. Potential victims are advised that if they are unsure about a caller’s legitimacy, they should ask for a name, hang up, and then call the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) or use contact information published on dial.iowa.gov. Callers should not use alternative phone numbers provided by the person contacting them. Legitimate board staff will provide their name and allow for a call back through official channels.
Common tactics used in these scams include threats of disciplinary action, demands for payment, requests to visit public locations to receive faxes, fake letterhead simulating health licensing boards or law enforcement agencies, emailed links that may contain viruses, and attempts to collect confidential information such as prescribing numbers or Social Security numbers. The announcement states, "A licensing board would not contact licensees or office staff to 'verify or collect' confidential information."
If an Iowa licensing board appears as a missed call on Caller ID but no voicemail is left where possible messages can be accepted, recipients should be cautious; most legitimate correspondence from boards is sent via email. Neither DIAL nor any Iowa licensing board will request credit card information over the phone; payments are only accepted online through secure portals listed on official websites or by check mailed directly.
The department urges anyone who receives suspicious calls not to engage with the caller until verifying legitimacy through an official return call. "DIAL encourages readers to share this information with coworkers, family, and friends." DIAL states its commitment is "to protecting the health and safety of Iowans through regulation and oversight of health care... professional licensure... application of administrative law; and investigation of Medicaid and welfare fraud."
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