Calif. dental board reports phone scams targeting practices

Scam artists posing as Dental Board of California staff are calling practices claiming that offices are under investigation for drug trafficking, according to an advisory sent by the dental board on September 6.

Under the scam, callers identify themselves as dental board staff members or investigators using phone numbers that appear to be coming from the board. They then state that the practice is under investigation and demand money to resolve the issue.

The dental board noted that its staff members and investigators do not contact practices demanding money or payment.

If a practice receives one of these calls, the dental board suggests these steps:

• Contact the dental board via phone at 877-729-7789 or 916-263-2300, or via email at [email protected] to inquire if an official investigation is being conducted.
• If the caller is stating he or she is from U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the scam can be reported using the DEA's extortion scam online reporting form.
• If the phone number appears to be coming from the dental board, an online complaint can be submitted with the U.S. Federal Communications Commissions using their consumer complaint form.
• No personal or financial information should be disclosed.

A similar scam was reported in June by the California Dental Association.