Scam Alert: Caller Spoofing Governor’s Office Phone Number (June 9, 2026)
The North Carolina State Board of Optometry has received reports that scammers are contacting licensees while posing as investigators or representatives of the Board. In this most recent scam, callers are spoofing the Governor’s Office phone number, 919-814-2000, and claiming to be acting on behalf of the Board.
Please be aware that the Board will never contact you in a threatening manner, demand immediate payment, or pressure you to provide personal information over the phone. Any legitimate contact from the Board will come from Board staff members you are familiar with or can easily verify.
If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to represent the Board, please do not share personal, financial, or license-related information. Hang up and contact the Board directly to verify whether the call was legitimate.
When in doubt, please call or email the Board. We are always happy to help you confirm the accuracy of any communication you receive.
Those calls are phishing attempts and may be intended to obtain personal information, collect fraudulent fees, or intimidate licensees.
February 25, 2022 (updated 2/28/2023)
The NC Optometry Board has received notification from various NC licensed optometrists this week regarding someone contacting them posing as an "Investigator with the NC Board of Optometry." The caller identifies himself as "Harold Jones," "Michael Felton," "Oscar Valencia," or "Michael Nguyen."
and provides a false badge number.
Please note that this is an attempt at 'Phishing' and likely seeks to obtain personal information or collect fees.
The Board will never reach out to you by phone with such requests. If you are ever in doubt about the validity of a caller posing as a 'Representative of The Board', please call or email us.
May 25, 2018
The NC Optometry Board has received notification from two different NC licensed optometrists this week regarding someone contacting them posing as a DEA agent. The caller indicates that the optometrist's DEA number was used in a drug purchase and the optometrist is in jeopardy as a potential accomplice. The caller says that the DEA is involving the FBI in the deal to waive arrest and that the OD can avoid loss of licensure by posting a financial bond. The agent is identifying himself as Kevin McCoy. Dr. Rafferty, Executive Director, has talked to the DEA and they have assured him there is no Kevin McCoy in the DEA and that the DEA would never solicit bond payment by phone.
We want everyone to be aware of this scheme in case you are approached in this or a similar manner. If this should happen to you, let the Board know as well as the DEA Department of Diversion (336) 547-4210.