Scam artists posing as law enforcement officers, DEA agents and medical board staff have begun calling California physicians as a part of an extortion scheme, the California Medical Association said Nov. 29.
Here's what physicians need to know:
1. Scammers posing as law enforcement may tell physicians they have missed a court date as an expert witness, according to the report.
2. Scammers posing as DEA agents may tell victims their license is suspended for illegal drug trafficking. These scammers may provide an "agreement for the bonds and protocols" that asks physicians for a bond fee payment of $25,000.
3. The scammer's phone numbers could show up as the medical board's toll free number.
4. Physicians should immediately report the threat to the DEA's extortion scam online reporting form if the caller states they are from the DEA.