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DEA question

incubusted13

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 2, 2001
Messages
74
Does anyone know where i can find the DEA number algorithm. I kind of need a quick answer, so any information will be appreciated.
 
The serial number always starts out with an A or B followed by another letter. The first letter is A for physicians who got their numbers before approximately 1980, thereafter they begin with B. (This may not be a hard and fast rule, but it seems generally true.) The next letter is simply the first letter of the doctor's last name! So old Dr. Smith's number will begin AS.
Next comes a seven digit registration number. The final digit of this number is called the "check digit." The "check digit" is used to verify the rest of the number by processing it with the proper algorithm.
In the case of the DEA registration number, the algorithm is as follows: the "check digit" will equal the last digit of the sum of a) the addition of the 2nd, 4th, and 6th digits times two PLUS b) the sum of the addition of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits. That sounds confusing, but as far as algorithms go, it's kid's stuff.
Let's look at an example: You've made a prescription pad for old Dr. Smith, so your letters are gonna be AS. Now make up a six digit number and write it down. It does not matter what it is. Let's say it's 375987. You create your "check digit" by adding the 2nd, 4th, and 6th digits (7+9+7)--the sum is 23. Multiply that by 2 and you get 46. Now add the 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits [3+5+ 8] --the sum is 16. Add 46 and 16 and you get 62. The last digit of 62 is 2, so that's your "check digit" and your full DEA registration is AS3759872. Get a piece of paper and do this for yourself. It will make sense.
[ 08 August 2002: Message edited by: fairnymph ]
 
Two questions.
First why the fuck does everyone seem to know this? Who the hell figured out how DEA numbers work...I am sure they didn't publish it on their website...or is their some kind of guide to pharmacists to figure out how to check for valid DEA numbers.
Secondly does a valid DEA number actually get you anything? Is this some kind of silly trick to prevent stupid people from impersonating doctors?
 
FairNymph simply paraphrased the guide published all over the internet as well as in Pills-A-Go-Go" (by Jim Hogshire)
Believe it or not, the DEA was responsible for making this information public to pharmacists... see, back before all this was on computers pharmcists would actually work it out to make sure the DEA number was legit - or at least in the legit format .. so if they got a script from a doctor whom they were not fimilar with, you could do the math and see if it was fake or at least if it was a poor fake...
When I worked in the pharmacy they had it printed out and taped to the countor for a quick check of an out-of-area script..
But dont think you can forge a script like this - we have had a LOT of threads dealing with forged scripts and if you read through them you will see there is a LOT MORE then a DEA number to overcome .. besides, it's all computerized, they have that doctors DEA number on file anyway and the ONLY WAY this could be of ANY USE is if you weretrying to make a totally fake doctor and get something from some mom-n-pop place that wouldnt do much anything more then calll the number printed on the script - which would be yer friends phone number who would answer "Doctors office" ...
 
Alright I am now really curious techniques, how did they bust her?
PhreeX I have been wondering this for a long time why won't creating a totally fake doctor work? Do big chains look it up in some national doctor registry? I keep hearing from people that this wouldn't work but yet I haven't been able to figure out what check would catch you.
 
You don't want to create a fake doctor. Find a doctor who has recently died. This way his medical license is still valid as are his dea number. Then get some blank scripts & let the beauty of photo shop do its magic. Keep in mind this is nowhere as easy as it sounds and requires a lot of risk and luck. Good Luck and if it works don't be greedy with what you try to have filled...
 
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