The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be Department employees and use spoofed caller ID information to appear legitimate.
According to NJDOH, the Department has received multiple reports from residents who were contacted by scammers claiming that their personal information had been compromised and used to illegally obtain prescription drugs in another state. The callers allegedly instruct recipients to contact police, visit NJDOH headquarters, or face “punishment” if they do not comply.
Officials said the calls appear to come from a legitimate NJDOH phone number, but the caller ID information has been falsified. The Department emphasized that it does not make unsolicited calls demanding personal information or money, threatening residents, or alleging criminal activity.
NJDOH noted that while state and local health departments may contact residents as part of disease investigation or contact tracing efforts, those calls will never involve threats, claims of illegal drug activity, or requests for financial information. Contact tracers may ask for limited identifying information, such as date of birth and location of care, to verify identity and protect privacy.
“This type of fraud is designed to create fear and urgency,” Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington said in a statement. “Residents must be alert to these bad actors and should immediately report these scam calls to state and federal authorities.”
Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, urged residents to hang up on callers claiming to be government representatives who pressure them to provide money or personal information and to independently verify any request by contacting the agency directly.
State officials advised residents to avoid sharing sensitive information, never send money to unexpected callers, and report suspected scams to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission.
Residents can report scams to the Division of Consumer Affairs or to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.