RELEASE: DOPL Warns Licensees About Impersonation Scams

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) is warning licensees to remain vigilant against fraudulent phone calls, emails, and other communications from individuals pretending to represent DOPL or a professional licensing board.

Scammers may contact licensees claiming to be investigators with DOPL and inform the licensee that their license is under investigation for illegal or unlawful activities. The scammers may threaten license suspension and/or revocation over fabricated investigations, sometimes involving federal agencies or federal law enforcement. The scammers may also request sensitive personal or financial information, including date of birth, Social Security number, payment information, and other identifying information. Licensees should be especially cautious when receiving unexpected communication that asks them to provide personal information, make a payment, click a link, or otherwise take immediate action.

DOPL reminds licensees:

• DOPL will not initiate contact with you to request sensitive personal information.
• License numbers themselves are public information, so scammers may attempt to appear more credible by using your license number.
• DOPL may request identifying information when you contact the Division, but only as necessary to verify your identity and protect your information.
• Do not provide personal, financial, or account information in response to an unexpected phone call, text message, or email.
• Do not click links or open attachments in suspicious or unexpected messages.
• If you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, end the communication and contact DOPL directly using contact information published on the official DOPL website www.DOPL.idaho.gov
• Licensees can independently verify their license or registration information by signing in to DOPL Online Services.

Scammers may attempt to make their communications appear legitimate by claiming to represent DOPL or a licensing board, including with the licensee’s publicly available licensure number.

Licensees should not rely solely on the name, phone number, or other information presented like a licensee’s license number in an unexpected communication as proof that it is legitimate.

When in doubt, contact DOPL directly. DOPL’s main office can be reached at 208-334-3233 or [email protected]. Licensees with questions about a particular profession or board may also contact their board through the official contact information provided on the DOPL’s website. Licensees are encouraged to remain vigilant and share this warning with colleagues who may also be targeted. You can also report scams of this nature to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Media Contact:
Bob McLaughlin
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
208-817-6054
[email protected]

About Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) provides consumer protection and public safety through its regulation of more than 250,000 licensees within more than 44 Boards and Commissions here in the great State of Idaho.

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