Minneapolis restaurants warned of fraudulent health inspector scam
A picture taken on June 20, 2012 at a restaurant in Quimper, western France, shows fork and knife on an invoice indicating the two Value-added tax (VAT) 7.0 and 19.6 percent rate. AFP PHOTO / FRED TANNEAU (Photo by FRED TANNEAU / AFP) (Photo by FRED
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The City of Minneapolis is cautioning restaurants in Minneapolis to remain vigilant for an individual posing as a health inspector as part of a scam.
The City of Minneapolis issued a press release on Monday about a restaurant manager who received a suspicious call last week. The caller claimed to represent the health department and informed the manager that an upcoming inspection was scheduled for later in the week and requested a payment of $1,000 ahead of time.
Minneapolis warned this call was a scam and that businesses should never give money to health inspectors. Instead, authentic Minneapolis health inspectors will:
- Never ask for payments
- Never accept payments for fees or citations
- Do not schedule routine inspections
- Always have city-issued identification
If you suspect someone calling may be a part of a scam, hang up and report it to the health department and ask for the Environmental Health supervisor at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-3000.