Don't Fall Victim: Georgia DDS Issues Scam Text Warning

Michael

3 min read

Post on May 29, 2025

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Don't Fall Victim: Georgia DDS Issues Scam Text Warning

Georgia residents are urged to be vigilant against a new wave of text message scams targeting dental patients. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), which oversees the state's Board of Dentistry (DDS), issued a warning about fraudulent text messages appearing to originate from dental practices. These scams attempt to trick recipients into revealing sensitive personal and financial information.

The DDS reports a significant increase in these scam texts in recent weeks. The messages often contain urgent-sounding language, claiming issues with appointments, billing discrepancies, or even threats of legal action if a response isn't immediate. This urgency is a key tactic used to pressure victims into acting without thinking.

How to Spot a Fake Text:

• Suspicious Sender ID: The text message may appear to be from a dental office you've never visited or use a generic number, not the official number of your dentist. Legitimate dental practices typically use their official phone number or a recognizable short code.
• Urgent and Demanding Tone: Scam texts often use pressure tactics, demanding immediate payment or personal information. Legitimate practices usually communicate in a professional and less demanding manner.
• Requests for Personal Information: Be wary of any text asking for your social security number, credit card details, bank account information, or login credentials. Your dentist will never request this information via text.
• Unusual Links or Attachments: Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders. These could contain malware or redirect you to phishing websites designed to steal your information.
• Grammar and Spelling Errors: While not always the case, scam texts often contain grammatical errors and poor spelling – a sign of a rushed, unprofessional operation.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Text:

1. Do not respond. Responding to the text, even to say you're not interested, can confirm your number is active and potentially lead to more scams.
2. Delete the message. Immediately delete the suspicious text message from your phone.
3. Report the text. You can report the scam text to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at . Reporting helps authorities track these scams and potentially prevent others from falling victim.
4. Contact your dentist directly. If you're unsure about a text message you received, call your dental office using the number you have on file to verify its legitimacy.

Protecting Yourself from Dental Scams:

• Be cautious of unsolicited communications. Don't trust any text message or email asking for personal or financial information unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the sender's identity.
• Verify information independently. If you receive a communication about your dental account, contact your dental practice directly to verify the information.
• Use strong passwords and keep your antivirus software up-to-date. This will help protect you from phishing attacks and malware.

The Georgia DDS is committed to protecting patients from fraud. By staying informed and following these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of these scams. Remember, your dental practice will never request sensitive information via text message without prior established communication. If something feels off, it likely is. Stay safe and vigilant!