Greg's Corner

Scammers Turn a Prescription You Never Ordered Into a Criminal Investigation

By Greg Collier

Getting an unexpected phone call about a prescription can be unsettling enough. But what if the caller claims someone has filled a prescription in your name, tells you that your identity is connected to a crime, and threatens legal consequences unless you cooperate? What if they then transfer you to a police officer on a video call, complete with a uniform, a badge, and what looks like an official recording room?

You might think you’re dealing with a legitimate government investigation. That’s precisely what the scammers want you to believe.

According to a warning issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), scammers are impersonating department employees, threatening residents with legal consequences, and using fake police video calls to pressure people into surrendering sensitive personal and financial information.

The scheme is an unsettling example of how far criminals will go to make a scam look legitimate. A familiar government agency, an official-sounding accusation, and a convincing video call can all be part of the same carefully constructed lie.

It Starts With a Prescription You Never Ordered

The scam often begins with a phone call from someone claiming to work for the California Department of Public Health. The caller tells the recipient that a prescription has been filled in their name.

The caller then claims that the person needs to verify their identity to clear their record. Refuse, and the consequences supposedly become serious. The scammer may threaten legal action or claim the person’s prescriptions will be canceled.

This is a familiar scam tactic: invent a problem, make the target feel personally responsible for it, and then offer a way to make the problem disappear.

A prescription allegedly linked to your identity sounds like something that needs immediate attention. The possibility of legal trouble makes the situation even more frightening. A scammer wants you focused on defending yourself, not questioning whether the call is genuine.

The caller may also use the names of actual public health officials or disguise their phone number so that it appears to originate from CDPH. These details can make the story sound convincing, but they do not prove the caller represents the agency.

Then Come the Fake Cops on Video

The most disturbing part of this scam is what may happen next.

According to the warning, some victims have been transferred to video calls with people posing as police officers or other authorities. These impostors reportedly use fake uniforms, fabricated badge numbers, and staged recording rooms designed to resemble official facilities.

Think about the effect that could have on someone who already believes they’re under investigation. Instead of simply hearing a stranger make threats over the phone, the victim now sees a person dressed like a police officer, sitting in what appears to be an official setting, reinforcing the original caller’s story.

But a video call is no guarantee of legitimacy. A uniform can be purchased, a badge number can be invented, and a room can be staged to look official. Seeing someone on camera does not establish their identity or authority.

The scammers may also use the names of real officials and repeat details from the original call to make the supposed investigation seem consistent. Every new element is intended to strengthen the illusion that the victim is dealing with legitimate authorities.

The important thing to remember is that a convincing performance is still a performance. Don’t let a uniform on a screen convince you to hand over information you would otherwise protect.

They Want Your Personal Information and Access to Your Devices

The California Department of Public Health says scammers have requested sensitive information, including dates of birth and driver’s license numbers. The agency also warns that some callers have tried to get victims to download encrypted messaging applications for video calls or have attempted to gain access to their personal devices.

These requests should raise serious concerns.

Personal identifying information can be used in identity theft or to make future scams more convincing. A scammer who obtains enough information may be able to impersonate you, target your financial accounts, or use what they learn to pressure you in subsequent conversations.

Requests to install unfamiliar applications or grant access to a device create additional risks. Even if a caller claims the software is necessary to complete an investigation, you should not follow those instructions without independently verifying the situation.

A supposed government official has no automatic right to your driver’s license number, financial information, or access to your phone simply because they claim you are under investigation.

And if the caller asks for Social Security numbers, credit card information, or money over the phone, the CDPH says that is not legitimate department procedure.

The Scammers May Even Tell You Where to Go

The scheme doesn’t necessarily end with phone calls and video chats.

According to the warning, some targets have been directed to meet at an address in Sacramento. The agency also says scammers may make repeated calls and send threatening text messages to keep victims under pressure.

These tactics all serve the same purpose: making it difficult for the target to step back and think clearly.

Repeated contact can make the situation feel more urgent. Threatening messages can create the impression that authorities are closing in. A physical meeting place can make the supposed investigation seem more concrete.

But none of these details proves that the caller is genuine. In fact, the combination of threats, repeated contact, requests for sensitive information, and instructions to use unfamiliar communication methods should make you more suspicious, not less.

Do not travel to an address or meet someone simply because an unverified caller tells you to do so. Independently contact the agency or local law enforcement using a trusted source of contact information.

What the Real California Health Department Says

CDPH Director Dr. Erica Pan warned that the agency is aware of ongoing efforts to impersonate department employees and pressure Californians into disclosing personal information.

The department makes an important distinction: legitimate CDPH employees may contact people about public health investigations or disease contact tracing. That means an unexpected call mentioning public health is not automatically fraudulent.

However, the agency says its employees would never ask for personal financial information over the phone. CDPH also emphasizes that legitimate staff will not request Social Security numbers, credit card information, or payment by phone.

Do not rely on the caller’s number, a badge number they provide, a video-call appearance, or contact details supplied during the conversation. Find the agency’s contact information independently and verify the claim yourself.

How to Protect Yourself From This Scam

The most effective defense is to refuse to let fear dictate your next move.

If someone claims a prescription has been filled in your name and threatens legal consequences, don’t immediately provide your personal information. Hang up and independently verify the claim with the appropriate agency or healthcare provider.

Never assume that a video call proves someone is a police officer or government employee. Don’t send photographs of identification, disclose financial information, download unfamiliar applications, or grant access to your devices just because a caller says you must cooperate.

Be particularly suspicious of anyone who insists you must act immediately, threatens arrest, demands secrecy, or discourages you from seeking independent advice.

If you believe the call is fraudulent, you can notify local law enforcement and report the suspected scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you have already shared sensitive information, consider taking steps to protect the affected accounts and identity information. If you installed software or allowed someone to access your device, disconnect the session, remove unauthorized access, and seek help securing the device and any accounts that may have been exposed.

CDPH has not disclosed how many people have been targeted, whether anyone has lost money, or whether any arrests have been made. But the warning alone is a good reason to be cautious about unexpected calls claiming to involve public health investigations.

Don’t Let a Fake Badge Intimidate You

Government impersonation scams have always relied on making people believe they are in trouble with someone who has authority over them. This version adds another layer of deception by bringing fake police officers and staged video calls into the mix.

The goal is to make the scam feel so real that you stop questioning it.

Remember, scammers can fake caller ID, invent badge numbers, use real officials’ names, and dress up a video call to look like an official investigation. None of those things establishes that the person contacting you is who they claim to be.

If someone claiming to be a government official threatens you, demands sensitive information, or tries to frighten you into cooperating, stop the conversation and verify the claim independently.

A real public health investigation is not a license for someone to take control of your personal information. And a fake police officer on a video screen has no authority over you just because they look the part.