Health Departments Warn of Restaurant Scams
December 9, 2016
Some restaurants in Ohio have reported receiving calls from scammers pretending to be food service inspectors.
In a typical incident, a caller will contact a restaurant claiming to be from the local or county health department and request a credit card number to pay for an inspection. The caller may also claim that there has been a complaint filed against the restaurant.
To help avoid this scam:
- If your restaurant receives an in-person visit from someone claiming to be a county health inspector, ask to see his or her ID issued by the county.
- Do not provide credit card information to strangers claiming to be from your county health department. Find out how your legitimate county health department conducts business so you will spot irregularities from any potential imposters.
- Find out of the county food service inspectors charge for their inspection services. If your county’s inspections are free, you will know that if anyone approaching a restaurant management or staff by phone, email, or in person, claiming to be a county inspector and wanting credit card information will be an imposter.
For more information about this scam in Ohio, at least two public health departments have issued alerts.