Sonoma County, CA - Sonoma County Department of Health Services, has become aware of a fraud scheme targeting food facilities and other small businesses in Sonoma County and across North America. There are media reports of the scam extending throughout Canada and California.
Walter L. Kruse, Director of Environmental Health, has reported "A number of restaurants in Sonoma County have recently received telephone calls from a person claiming to be a "health inspector" introducing a new procedure for arranging a health inspection. The fake "health inspector" asks the business owner to follow a procedure to get a special "code" to confirm the upcoming inspection. Later, the business owner receives a second call asking for the "confirmation code." No such inspection and no real inspector ever arrives."
This fake inspector scheme is part of a larger fraud involving setting up "verified" accounts with a national on-line auction service. The purpose of the "code" request is to get the small business owner to provide false verification to the online auction service. The fraud artist does this to establish a bogus on-line account to be used in other fraud schemes.
Mr. Kruse also advises that food facilities owners/operators need to be aware of this scam and should protect themselves from this fraudulent action by understanding:
- The Environmental Health Section does not announce inspections in advance, will not call in advance of an inspection requesting information and will not call to schedule an inspection (there may be rare exceptions).
- The Environmental Health Section has not developed a new inspection procedure. Any caller identifying him/herself as a "health inspector" asking you to participate in a "code" process, requesting account information or soliciting other information is part of a fraud scheme.
- Sonoma County Health Specialists carry photo identification. Ask to see it.
- Never give out personal or business identification information over the phone unless you are certain of the identity of the person with whom you are speaking.
If you need further information please call Sonoma County Environmental Health: (707) 565-6565.
San Francisco has published a similar warning. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Environmental Health at (415) 252-3800.
