Some businesses in Carlsbad have recently been victimized by persons claiming to have been sent to conduct business inspections by the “fire marshal” or “fire department.” These persons are not from the fire department.
They spend a few moments walking around the business and ask the owner or manager to sign an “inspection form.” If you ask for a copy of the inspection form, they say they will send it to you in the mail.
What you get in the mail is an invoice for their inspection with your signature cut and pasted on the bottom. The invoices in the cases we are investigating range between $400 and $900 per business.
The fire department never uses private parties to conduct business inspections. These inspections are conducted by fire department employees in uniforms who have badges and identification cards. If you have reason to doubt that a person is really a fire department employee you can always call the agency and ask. A real fire inspector will understand and not have any problems with such a call.
We believe that there are more victims of this scam in the community than we are aware of. If your business is in Carlsbad and you believe that you have been a victim, please contact our office during regular business hours.
If you are contacted by a non-fire department employee who tells you they were sent by the fire marshal or fire department to conduct an inspection, call the Carlsbad Fire Prevention Division at (760) 602-4666.
If you are contacted, any assistance you can provide in the form of descriptions of the persons and vehicles involved would be helpful. With your help, I am sure we can end these scams.
They spend a few moments walking around the business and ask the owner or manager to sign an “inspection form.” If you ask for a copy of the inspection form, they say they will send it to you in the mail.
What you get in the mail is an invoice for their inspection with your signature cut and pasted on the bottom. The invoices in the cases we are investigating range between $400 and $900 per business.
The fire department never uses private parties to conduct business inspections. These inspections are conducted by fire department employees in uniforms who have badges and identification cards. If you have reason to doubt that a person is really a fire department employee you can always call the agency and ask. A real fire inspector will understand and not have any problems with such a call.
We believe that there are more victims of this scam in the community than we are aware of. If your business is in Carlsbad and you believe that you have been a victim, please contact our office during regular business hours.
If you are contacted by a non-fire department employee who tells you they were sent by the fire marshal or fire department to conduct an inspection, call the Carlsbad Fire Prevention Division at (760) 602-4666.
If you are contacted, any assistance you can provide in the form of descriptions of the persons and vehicles involved would be helpful. With your help, I am sure we can end these scams.