NJ Health Officials Warn of Phone Scam Using Spoofed Department Numbers

State urges residents to hang up on callers claiming data breaches or drug crimes and to report incidents to consumer and federal authorities.

MORRISTOWN— The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be department employees and use spoofed caller ID numbers to appear legitimate.

State officials said NJDOH has received multiple reports from residents who were contacted by callers alleging that their personal information had been compromised and used to illegally obtain prescription drugs in another state. According to the department, the calls often appear to originate from an authentic NJDOH phone number, but that information has been falsified.

In reported cases, callers have instructed recipients to contact police, file complaints, or visit NJDOH headquarters. Some have also threatened residents with “punishment” if they do not comply.

The Department of Health emphasized that it does not make unsolicited calls demanding money or sensitive personal information, nor does it threaten residents or accuse them of criminal activity. While health department staff may contact individuals as part of legitimate disease investigation or contact tracing efforts, officials said those calls are limited to confirming identity, discussing health status, and identifying possible exposures.

Health officials stressed that legitimate contact tracers will never request financial information, social security numbers, or details about general prescription drug purchases.

“NJDOH will use all available means to protect residents from anyone impersonating Department officials,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington. “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 New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, said impersonation scams often rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly.

“Impersonation scammers frequently manufacture a sense of urgency through fear and confusion and try to force victims into hasty emotional decisions,” said Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a government representative who pressures you to provide money or personal information, immediately hang up and independently verify that the request is legitimate by calling the government agency in question.”

The state classified the calls as impersonator scams, a common form of fraud in which criminals pose as trusted government agencies to steal money, commit identity theft, or access financial accounts. Officials noted that spoofing technology allows scammers to easily falsify caller ID information.

Residents who receive suspicious calls claiming to be from NJDOH are advised to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and never send payments in response to unsolicited calls. Those wishing to verify a legitimate NJDOH contact are encouraged to use contact information listed directly on the department’s official website.

Scam calls can be reported to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs online or by phone at 973-504-6200. Residents are also encouraged to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission through ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

State officials said reporting scams helps authorities track fraudulent activity and warn other residents before additional harm occurs.