Becker's has reported on three scams targeting dentists this year:
1. On July 11, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation warned dentists of scammers calling dental practices pretending to be staff members of the IDFPR or a member of law enforcement. During the phone calls, scammers claim the dentist's license will be suspended or criminal charges will be filed unless a payment is made immediately. They may also ask dentists for their Social Security numbers.
2. In June, scammers called Illinois dental practices using phone numbers that appeared to be from the Illinois State Dental Society, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the Drug Enforcement Agency. Dental practices were contacted by live phone calls, text or robo calls in an attempt to gain money or personal information.
3. The California Dental Association warned dentists in March of a reemerging scam from 2019. The organization said an associate of a California dentist received a call from someone posing as a California dental board official. The caller posed as a dental board number and said the associate's dental license had been suspended for suspicious drug activity in Texas and Mexico. The caller's next step may have been to demand payment, according to the CDA.