Indianapolis, Indiana – A phone call that looks official can still be a trap. Indiana officials are warning residents that scammers are now making calls appear to come from the state agency responsible for professional licensing, then using fear and urgency to pressure people into giving up sensitive information.
The scheme has prompted Gov. Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita to issue a public warning as callers impersonate staff from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, or PLA. Officials say the scammers are using “spoofed” phone numbers, a tactic that can make an incoming call appear to originate from a legitimate agency.
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State officials stressed that PLA will not call people in this manner to demand Social Security numbers or other personal information. The agency also will not threaten immediate license suspension or legal action, or demand an instant payment over the phone.
“Scammers who impersonate state employees to steal personal information are preying on the trust Hoosiers place in their government,” said Gov. Braun.
“I want Hoosiers to know that the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency will never threaten to suspend your license or demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the agency directly using the verified phone number listed on its official website.”
Credit: Gov. Mike Braun’s Office
The warning is particularly important for licensed professionals, who may be more likely to take a call seriously if a caller claims their professional credentials are in danger. Officials said one of the clearest warning signs is pressure to act immediately.
Suspicious calls may appear to originate from a PLA number while using threatening or urgent language. Other red flags include requests for financial, personal or account information, as well as claims that a professional license will be suspended or otherwise placed at risk unless the person complies right away.
Attorney General Rokita said increasingly convincing impersonation tactics make it important for residents to avoid trusting caller identification alone.
“Scammers are getting more sophisticated by the day, spoofing official numbers and posing as state employees to steal personal information from hardworking Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said.
“These fraudsters are nothing more than digital pickpockets. To avoid falling victim, don’t ever hand over your Social Security number, financial details, or anything else over the phone—real PLA staff will never operate this way.”
Anyone receiving such a call is advised not to provide any personal information and to hang up immediately. Instead of calling back the number displayed on the phone, residents should independently contact PLA through verified information available on the agency’s official website at in.gov/pla.
Braun and Rokita are also asking Hoosiers to share the warning with colleagues, licensed professionals and others who could potentially receive similar calls.
Suspected scams and attempted scams can also be reported to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. Hoosiers may file a consumer complaint online or call 1-800-382-5516.
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The key message from state officials is simple: an official-looking number is no guarantee that the person on the other end is actually calling from the state.
