Idaho licensing agency warns professionals about impersonation scams

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses is warning licensees about scammers impersonating the agency or professional licensing boards.

DOPL says scammers may contact licensees by phone, email or other methods while claiming to be investigators with the division. In some cases, scammers tell licensees they are under investigation for illegal activity and threaten to suspend or revoke their professional license.

The agency says scammers may also claim federal agencies or law enforcement are involved and ask for sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, payment information or other identifying details.

DOPL says licensees should be especially cautious of unexpected messages that ask them to provide personal information, make a payment, click a link or take immediate action.

According to the agency, DOPL will not initiate contact with a licensee to request sensitive personal information.

The division also warns that professional license numbers are public information, meaning scammers may use a real license number in an attempt to make a fraudulent call or message appear legitimate.

DOPL recommends licensees avoid providing personal or financial information in response to unexpected communications and not click links or open attachments in suspicious messages.

Anyone unsure whether a communication is legitimate should end the call or message and contact DOPL directly using information listed on the agency’s official website.

Licensees can also verify their license or registration information through DOPL’s online services.

DOPL’s main office can be reached at 208-334-3233 or dopl@dopl.idaho.gov.

The agency also encourages anyone targeted by a scam to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.