Fake ADA invoices being faxed to dentists

The ADA is warning its members about fraudulent invoices that were faxed across the U.S. in the last few days.

The bogus statements were sent by a Brockton, MA-based company and seek $575 in alleged ADA membership dues. The phony invoices look real and even include a tax ID number -- although they instruct the recipient to make their check payable to the "ADA Association."

In a statement issued January 4, the ADA pointed out that it is based in Chicago, not Massachusetts, and emphasized that it does not use fax communications to collect membership dues.

"ADA membership dues notices to tripartite members (members who belong at the local, state, and national level) are sent via U.S. mail directly from the state or local dental societies; invoices for other ADA direct member categories are sent via U.S. mail as well," the association noted.

In addition, the ADA does not "sell, rent, or publish in any way the fax numbers of dentists in its database."

The association said it did not know how many dentists have received the fake invoices, but called the problem "widespread."

Missouri Dental Association President Elwood Rice, DDS, told DrBicuspid.com that his group got calls from three members inquiring about the bogus bills. In response, emails were sent to the group's 1,400 members, and notices were posted to its Twitter and Facebook pages to alert dentists to the scam.

The ADA advised dentists to ignore the counterfeit invoices but to keep copies in case they are needed during the investigation. For more information, call ADA member services at 800-621-8099, ext. 2500.