DEFENDERS: Scam targets nurses and acupuncturists
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri licensed nurses and acupuncturists are the newest target in a scam going around the state.
The Missouri State Board of Nursing and Missouri Acupuncturist Advisory Committee are both warning about a scam claiming the person is being investigated and their licenses is in danger of being suspended.
In this scam, the Missouri Nursing board said a person falsely identified themselves as being from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The person will call from a number that is the official phone number of the Board of Nursing. The scammer tells the person there is a case against them and in order to keep their nursing license, they needed to pay a "fine."
The scammer will have the nurse's address, license number and NPI number. Missouri nurses are also being contacted in the mail with similar allegations.
If nurses receive a call or letter like this they can check their license status at nursys.com . Nurses are also urged to enroll in a notification system to get updates on their license status.
The state's Acupuncturist Advisory Committee reports of a similar version of the scam. The scammer will call using the committee's official phone number. The caller identified himself as 'Robert Johnson' and investigator for the "Board of Acupuncturist," working on behalf of the FBI. The scammer will have their name and their license number.
The Executive Director for the committee said licensees should be aware that investigators will never:
- Initiate first contact about an investigation of a licensee by phone, asking for their social security number or date of birth.
- Disclose an investigation by another agency or identify the agency’s name – ever.
- Inform a licensee that they are being investigated or share details of an investigation through a phone call.
If an individual is contacted by an investigator identifying themselves with the Acupuncturist Advisory Committee or “Board of Acupuncturist”, they can contact the Committee office to confirm at (573) 526-1555.
