 is warning residents about a series of scams involving callers who pretend to be public health employees. The department has received multiple reports of attempts to obtain personal and financial information through deceptive phone conversations.){kind=link}
Sacramento, California – A phone call about a prescription might sound like a routine medical matter. But for some Californians, what begins as a question about pharmacy records has turned into an elaborate attempt to steal private information.
The person on the other end may claim to work for the state health department. They might even provide a badge number, use an official-looking phone number, or bring someone dressed as a police officer into a video call. None of that guarantees the call is real.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning residents about a series of scams involving callers who pretend to be public health employees. The department has received multiple reports of attempts to obtain personal and financial information through deceptive phone conversations.
According to CDPH, one common approach involves telling someone that a prescription has been filled under their name. The caller then insists that the individual must immediately verify personal details to resolve the supposed problem or clear their record.
Some schemes go considerably further.
Victims may be transferred to video calls featuring people impersonating law enforcement officers. These individuals sometimes appear in fake uniforms or staged recording rooms, creating the impression that an official investigation is underway.
Scammers have also used fabricated credentials, references to CDPH personnel, and spoofed government phone numbers. Their demands may include birth dates, driver’s license numbers, or instructions to install encrypted communication applications.
In certain cases, callers threaten legal consequences, warn that prescriptions could be canceled, or direct individuals to a Sacramento address. Repeated calls and intimidating text messages have also been reported.
CDPH Director Dr. Erica Pan emphasized that legitimate public health workers do sometimes contact residents, particularly during disease investigations and contact tracing.
“We are aware of ongoing scam efforts impersonating CDPH staff to pressure Californians into divulging personal information,” said CDPH Director Dr. Erica Pan.
“We urge Californians to remain vigilant about phone and online scams. While CDPH staff do contact members of the public regarding public health investigations, they would never ask for personal financial information of any kind over the phone.”
The department stressed that its employees will never request Social Security numbers, credit card details, or payments during telephone conversations.
Residents receiving suspicious calls should hang up immediately and contact CDPH directly at (916) 558-1784 to verify the situation.
Officials also recommend notifying local law enforcement and submitting a fraud report to the Federal Trade Commission through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The warning comes as similar impersonation schemes continue appearing nationwide. CDPH’s message is clear: even when a caller knows official names, displays a government number, or claims an urgent medical problem, residents should independently verify the contact before sharing sensitive information.