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Scammers falsely claiming to represent the Washington State Department of Health continue to try to defraud licensed health care professionals, prompting this reminder to providers not to send money or to offer financial information without being certain of the recipient’s identity. The Department of Health won’t ask for that over the phone and won’t threaten providers.
Scam attempts have gone on at least since autumn of 2020. In a recent example, a pharmacist received a telephone call during which she spoke to two men who falsely identified themselves as Department of Health employees. The pair told the pharmacist her license was about to be suspended in connection with illegal drug activity, which was untrue, and tried to get her banking information.
The pharmacist did the right thing. She hung up and reported the call to the Department of Health.
The Department of Health will never ask providers for money or financial information to save a license. If any issues do arise potentially affecting a health care professional’s Washington license, that person will receive written communication by mail and/or by email from an investigator at a verifiable Department of Health email address. That investigator would also provide a Department of Health phone number to contact with questions.
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office offers this advice:
- If you or a family member receives one of these calls, hang up immediately.
- Don’t trust callers who use threats to bully or frighten you. Legitimate investigators will not demand payment over the phone, text or email.
- Any demand that you pay in gift cards, via an online payment app, to UPS stores, in parking lots, or other non-traditional means signals a scam.
- Please help spread the word about this scam by sharing this information with your friends, family, and colleagues.
People may also file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. People may also contact their local police or sheriff’s department.
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