If I posted every scam warning, I wouldn’t have time to do much else! Be cautious! Be suspicious! Be smart! Try not to scare easily!

Since I teach real estate licensing courses, I thought I should share a warning issued today by the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. It appears, by the way, this may apply to anyone holding any Maine Professional or Occupational License.

Scammers are using a spoof phone number that looks like the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) or the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR). These scammers are contacting licensees in an effort to get licensees to share personal information. The scams are likely to vary but they include telling the licensees that the licensing board or other regulator has opened an investigation and their license has been suspended or revoked. The scammer then asks the licensee to share or verify personal information over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call, you should not share any personal information over the phone or by email. Licensees who think they may be a victim of a scam or attempted fraud should contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General toll-free at 800-436-2131 (TTY 711) or online at:  maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/.