News

FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY ALERT

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has become aware of a fraud scheme targeting restaurants and other businesses in Riverside County and throughout California.

Restaurants are receiving telephone calls from individuals claiming to be “health inspectors” who want them to schedule inspections through a computerized phone system using a special code. The code is then used to charge fees or used in other fraudulent activities. 

To protect yourself and your business from this and other fraud schemes, please be aware of the following:

·         Riverside County DEH staff and any legitimate governmental agency will have photo identification. Ask for photo ID and business cards if there is any doubt about the authenticity of an inspector visiting your business.

·         If you have any doubt about contact with any Riverside County DEH employee, please contact us at (951) 358-5172.

·         Riverside County DEH does not regularly schedule inspections. A computerized phone system is not used to make phone calls.

·         No new inspection process has been developed. Any caller identifying himself/herself as a “health inspector” asking you to participate in scheduling inspections using a code is part of a fraud scheme.

·         Never give out personal or business identification information over the phone.

·         If you are contacted by a fraudulent “health inspector” or suspect a fraud scheme contact local law enforcement.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Environmental Health office at (951) 358-5172.