Scam Alert for Illinois-licensed nurses

Dear Illinois-Nurses,

I hope this message finds you well. We have recently been made aware of a scam email or phone scam where the caller claims to be a representative from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or the Illinois Board of Nursing circulating among healthcare professionals, particularly targeting nurses. These emails appear to be from legitimate sources but are designed to deceive and potentially compromise your personal information.

The caller / email claims your license is under investigation due to criminal activity that has not happened and that you must provide personal information and/or payment to keep your license active.

If you receive a call like this, DO NOT provide the information or payment requested. Instead, ignore the call and hang up immediately. IDFPR will not communicate in this manner if your license is under investigation.

Key Points to Watch For:

1. Sender's Email Address: Check for slight misspellings or unusual domain names.
2. Urgent Requests: Be cautious of emails demanding immediate action or threatening consequences.
3. Suspicious Links or Attachments: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or unexpected sources.
4. Personal Information Requests: Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information via email.

Your vigilance is crucial in protecting not only your personal information but also the integrity of our healthcare system. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the Illinois Board of Nursing.

 Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued dedication to providing excellent care.

 

Dr. W. Zeh Wellington, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC
President, American Nurses Association (ANA) - Illinois