The Texas Dental Association (TDA) is alerting members to a sophisticated impersonation scam currently targeting licensed dentists across the country.

Recent reports from states including Georgia, New Jersey, and California indicate that scammers are posing as representatives from state dental boards and federal agencies such as the FBI or DEA. These individuals are using intimidation tactics to pressure dental professionals into paying fraudulent fees or sharing sensitive personal information.

How the Scam Works

Scammers are using advanced tactics to appear legitimate, including caller ID spoofing that makes it look like the call is coming from a government agency or licensing board.

During these calls, scammers may claim:

• Your dental license has been suspended
• You are under investigation for illegal prescription activity
• Immediate payment is required to avoid arrest or permanent license revocation

In some cases, the caller may even transfer you to another individual impersonating a federal agent to escalate the situation and increase pressure.

What You Should Know

It’s important to remember:

Government agencies and state licensing boards will never demand payment over the phone.

Official investigations follow formal processes and are typically communicated through:

• Verified state email addresses
• Official written correspondence
• Certified mail

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

If you receive a call that matches this description:

• Hang up immediately
• Do not provide personal or financial information, including your SSN or NPI
• If you believe you have received a fraudulent call, do not contact the TSBDE. Instead, report the incident through the Texas Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division website. The Attorney General’s website provides guidance on how to identify, avoid, and report fraud.
• Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Help Protect the Profession

TDA encourages all members to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting suspicious activity.

If you receive a scam call targeting dentists, please notify TDA so we can help keep the dental community informed and protected.

Together, we can safeguard the integrity and security of the dental profession.