FBI Warns of Ongoing Fraud Targeting Physicians, NPs, PAs

The Baltimore office of the FBI is warning people in the healthcare industry of widespread, ongoing fraud in which scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extort money or steal personal information from doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. As part of a large criminal network, scammers try to make themselves look legitimate by researching details from an intended target’s background through a medical practice website or social media site. 

In an often-used ploy, the scammer uses authentic names, phone numbers, and fake credentials of well-known government and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, to tell the target that they were subpoenaed to give expert witness testimony in a court case. The scammer tells the target that because they didn’t appear in court, they are in violation of the subpoena, have been found in contempt, and an arrest warrant has been issued for them. The target is told that if they pay a court fine, they will no longer be held in contempt.

The intended victim is warned that noncompliance will result in their medical license being revoked.

The FBI provides ways that healthcare employees can protect themselves:

• Law enforcement authorities or government officials never contact the public by telephone; any legitimate investigation or legal action will be done in person or by official letter.
• Always ask for credentials to validate identity.
• Remind coworkers and office staff to keep on the lookout for scams.
• No legitimate law enforcement or government official will request payment via prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.

For victims of a scam:

• Notify your financial institutions and safeguard any financial accounts.
• Contact your local law enforcement and file a police report.
• File a complaint with the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov.