FDA warns consumers about telephone extortion scam

January 7, 2010 - Consumers should be on the lookout for criminals impersonating U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agents in an attempt to extort money over the telephone, the government warns.

“Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law,” said Michael Chappell, FDA acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “The public should note that no FDA official will ever contact a consumer by phone demanding money or any other form of payment.”

The criminals call victims—who in most cases have previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via “telepharmacies”—and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. They then inform victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims also often have fraudulent transactions placed on their credit cards.

Victims are always told to send the money by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm or incarceration.

FDA agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action, with fines payable to the U.S. Treasury, according to the FDA.

In addition to posing as FDA officials, criminals have posed as special agents of the DEA, FBI, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Customs Service, as well as U.S. and Dominican prosecutors and judges.

Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person claiming to be an FDA agent or other law enforcement official who is seeking money to settle a law enforcement action for the illegal purchase of drugs over the Internet should refuse the demand and call the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office at 800-521-5783 to report the crime.

The FDA also reminds consumers to use caution when purchasing prescription drugs over the telephone or Internet. For more information about the FDA’s concerns about unlawful drug sales on the Internet, visit www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/default.htm.

--

January 6, 2010 from Iredell Health Systems Hospital News.