Scammers are targeting licensed professionals in Utah by posing as officials from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) and threatening to revoke their licenses if they do not comply with demands. Dr. Jae Cho, a dentist, recently received such a call where the scammer claimed his license was about to be suspended due to criminal activity. Cho became suspicious and contacted the real DOPL, exposing the scam.
Mark Steinagel, director of DOPL, warned that scammers use high-pressure tactics and fake documents to intimidate their victims. He emphasized that government agencies do not make immediate demands in investigations and provide due process. Steinagel also mentioned that scammers are sending fraudulent letters to professionals, threatening license suspension unless they respond.
To combat this issue, Steinagel advised approaching calls demanding information or money with suspicion and emphasized the importance of verifying information with DOPL directly. He also noted that scammers are accessing online information to target victims and urged caution. Victims of such scams are encouraged to contact authorities immediately.
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