The Latest Scam Circulating In CT: See Who It Is Targeting

CONNECTICUT — The latest scam circulating around Connecticut, is attacking the healthcare sector, state officials said.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health Friday said it has received several recent notices of fraudulent calls that appear to be coming from a DPH phone line that are targeting licensed healthcare professionals.

The scammers claim that the targeted professional’s license has been suspended or revoked due to Federal Drug Enforcement investigations. They are using information available to the
public, including phone and license numbers, "to gain trust and access to personal and financial
information to pay fake fines."

"\Similar scams targeting healthcare professionals, including licensed physicians and dentists, have been circulating nationally for years," DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, said. "Be aware DPH will
never randomly contact licensees to demand money or personal and sensitive information. The
Department would notify licensees of a legitimate investigation or other action in person or by official letter.:"

Scammers have targeted licensees with phone calls and in some cases official looking letters. DPH officials are warning that the phone calls are fraudulent, and individuals should not release any personal information over the phone.

DPH does communicate with licensees via letter and advises that licensees who
question the legitimacy of the letter to call DPH’s Practitioner Licensing Unit to verify its authenticity
before responding to the letter.

Repeated tactics from the scammers include:

• Referencing a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation to enact fake charges
• Phone calls from (860) 509-7603 or other legitimate DPH phone lines
• Demanding money and personal information over the phone or email

Licensees who believe they have received these fraudulent notices should contact the Federal Trade
Commission at:

• Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
• TTY: 1-866-653-4261
• Go online: ftc.gov/complaint