Scam Alert: Fraudulent Board Communications Targeting Licensees

Virginia Board of Optometry Scam Alert 3/5/2021

Please be advised that the Department of Health Professions (DHP) has been made aware that some licensees have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from one of our licensing boards or another agency, such as the DEA. They fabricate official looking letterhead and call or text and make it appear as though the number is that of the Virginia Board of Optometry. Please know that the Board will never contact you to ask for money or personal information. If you are the recipient of any communication of which you are skeptical, contact the Board of Optometry for confirmation that it was sent by the Board or that it came from a scammer. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require the payment of fines. Please note:

• Phone calls may "spoof" DHP or a Board and appear to be from our number;

• If you need to verify the identity of a DHP investigator or inspector, call the
  Enforcement Division at (804) 367-4691 or email enfcomplaints@dhp.virginia.gov;

• DHP will never demand that you provide personally identifying information, such as
  social security number, date of birth, bank or credit card account numbers over the phone;

• These types of licensing scams are a problem nationwide.
  If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from DHP:

• Notify DHP's Enforcement Division at 804-367-4691, or
  email enfcomplaints@dhp.virginia.gov;

• Report the communication to local law enforcement or the Virginia State Police;

• The Federal Trade Commission also accepts reports about "Imposter Scams" through
  the FTC Complaint Assistant, or at 1-877-382-4357. These reports are used to aid ongoing investigations. The Drug Enforcement Administration also has warned of imposters posing as DEA agents. Information and reporting of these scams can be found at this DEA website. You may also contact the Board directly at 804-597-4132 or optbd@dhp.virginia.gov with any concerns.