Recently, individuals posing as health inspectors have contacted local restaurants and food establishments to fraudulently collect information.
The Broome County Health Department was notified of this activity by local restaurant owners who were suspicious of dialogue they had over the phone with supposed inspectors.
Restaurant owners and operators are to be aware of this activity and immediately report suspicious or fraudulent calls to local law enforcement officials.
“Local restaurants are advised to take caution and alert local authorities of any suspicious callers identifying themselves as inspectors or health officials,” said Christopher Coddington, Broome County Director of Environmental Health. “For the most part, our health inspectors conduct unannounced visits and do not collect confidential information over the phone.”
This fraudulent activity has been reported in other communities throughout the nation.
Most restaurateurs have described imposters requesting personal information and demanding to schedule inspections over the phone.
Imposters seek to gain information for the purposes of identity theft and may provide fictional access codes.
Others have reported perpetrators attempting to gain access to restaurants during off hours when such encounters would allow for looting.
The Broome County Department of Health advises local restaurants and food establishments to be aware of suspicious calls.
Establishments should not provide sensitive or confidential information over the telephone.
County food inspectors do not collect information over the phone and do not issue fines to businesses for “failing to schedule inspections”.
Broome County Health Inspectors have authorized photo identification and businesses should always ask to see inspectors’ identification.
