eMEMO from the ADA (1/3/12, 5:15 p.m.)

You may already be aware, but a short time ago, it came to our attention that a fraudulent membership renewal communication has been distributed via facsimile to the offices of many of our member dentists. The ADA does not use fax communications to collect membership dues. The ADA does not sell, rent or publish in any way the fax numbers of current or former member dentists in our database.

Description of fraudulent communication:
The fax communications looks like a standard invoice which asks the recipient to send a $575 payment to the American Dental Association/ADA Association, Membership Processing Dept, P.O. Box 1403, Brockton, MA 02303-1483. Note: This describes the version that we have seen, but there may be other versions out there.

We are in the process of taking the following steps to inform member and nonmember dentists throughout the country:

1. Contacting all member and nonmember dentists who have a valid email address in our database.
2. Contacting all constituent and component executive directors and leadership.
3. Contacting all constituent/component membership and communications staff.
4. Providing all ADA staff with special instructions for responding to calls from members.

At this time, the ADA is in touch with appropriate authorities. We do not know how many dentists or dental offices have received this communication, but based on the volume of calls we have received at headquarters, the problem does appear to be widespread.

We will keep you updated as we continue to investigate this situation.

This eMEMO is being distributed to dental leadership groups including constituent and component executive directors, presidents and president elects; Delegates and Alternates; Council, Commission and Committee members, ADA Officers and Board of Trustees, ADA Consumer Advisor spokespersons, ADA senior staff, dental editors, dental specialty organizations, certifying boards and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors.

(1/3/12, 2:30 p.m.) Attention Louisiana Dental Association Members:

Several LDA members contacted the association with concerns about an ADA dues invoice that was faxed to them. Other associations across the country are being targeted with the same suspicious activity.

The “scam” dues notices DO NOT have the member’s name on it, the address is Brockton, Massachusetts, and the checks are to be made out to the “ADA Association.” DO NOT PAY THIS INVOICE. We are working with the ADA to resolve this issue.

Your REAL ADA, LDA and component dues notice was mailed in November. Because you are a tripartite member, you pay ONE dues amount and you should not be billed separately.  The dues notice comes from the Baton Rouge office and the payment is sent to Baton Rouge. At this time, the dues notice is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service unless you contacted the LDA and requested a second notice by email or fax.

Again, please DO NOT pay the scam dues notice that you may receive via fax. If you have any questions or concerns about whether or not you paid your tripartite dues, feel free to contact the LDA Director of Membership Sharon Elliott at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (800) 388-6642.