The Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued a warning yesterday (Wednesday) urging its licensees and registrants to be wary following a recent increase in reported scam calls from individuals posing as board members, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents, or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees. According to a board spokesperson, calls may appear to come from these agencies directly through “spoofing” or tricking caller ID into showing incorrect information on its display. The scammers pose as state inspectors or investigators and demand payment over the phone for alleged fines or violations, and threaten everything from large fines to legal action if not paid immediately. Officials note none of these agencies will ever demand payment over the phone, as licensees are always notified of legal action through an official letter or in person. Sites that receive suspicious calls should hang up immediately and report the incident to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the agency the caller was impersonating. Contact information can be found included below.
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FCC: Spoofing Scam Info
DEA Scam Reporting
DEA Contact Information
Iowa Board of Pharmacy Scam Report Form
