Fire Chief Warns Business Owners of Fake Inspectors

Local officials are getting the word out about phony “fire inspectors” who have been visiting businesses throughout Los Angeles County.

Scam artists in official-looking, but fake, uniforms have been walking into businesses and performing questionable “fire safety inspections,” according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby.

Scammers typically enter a business and suggest they are members of the fire department and tell the staff that “they need to inspect the fire protection system,” or that “they need to inspect various components of the fire protection system,” according to county officials.

They will then look at the businesses alarms, fire sprinklers, hood systems and fire extinguishers. Oftentimes, scammers ask an employee to sign a form authorizing the inspections.

Weeks or months later owners receive an invoice for services that were fraudulently performed, officials said.

David Joseph, the Fire Inspector for the City of Lynwood, asked that business owners remember two things that will keep their businesses safe.

“There have been no incidents this year, but we did have a few in the city last summer, where an individual posing as a phony fire inspector approached businesses with the intention of checking their fire extinguishers,” Joseph said. “The business owners allowed it, and the individual took the extinguishers and he never returned. Businessowners need to remember that one, a legitimate fire inspector will never ask a business to pay in cash for services, and two, legitimate fire inspectors will never remove fire extinguishers from a business.”

Los Angeles County Fire Department crews inspect businesses annually, but do not charge. Business owners, managers and employees should not let anyone inspect their fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, hood systems or any other protection devices unless they have an agreement with a specific fire protection company, officials said.

To help ensure that a fire inspection is legitimate, the fire department provides the following suggestions:

• Inspectors should introduce themselves as County of Los Angeles Fire Department employees or identify their business and produce a business card. Allowing an individual to enter your business without a clear understanding of whom that person is, as well as their intentions, is not recommended.
• Inspectors should be able to present a copy of their current county or city business license. Legitimate contractors should have a “C-10” endorsement to inspect fire alarms or a “C-16” endorsement to inspect fire sprinklers and fix fire protection systems. Licenses can be verified by checking with the Contractor’s State License Board at their website.
• Inspectors should be able to tell you what they intend to do and what the estimated costs will be. Never pay in cash. Invoicing and recordkeeping are important for your business and help assist in establishing future legal avenues if the inspection turns out to be fraudulent.
• Inspectors must leave any broken and/or replaced parts with you. They also must provide a signed invoice.

The City of Lynwood, and Inspector Joseph also remind business owners that theyhave every right to refuse service by any inspector until they contact the County of LosAngeles Fire Department for guidance or agree to any inspection.

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