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March 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Miguel Fire District has received complaints from several businesses about fraudulent fire inspections. This is happening all over the State of California, according to Fire Marshal Marsha Larsen. In 2006, the City of Torrance prosecuted two individuals and a fire protection company for posing as firefighters performing fire inspections of local businesses. The scam has now moved to our area.
The fraudulent fire inspectors enter a business suggesting they represent the fire department and state they are going to perform the “quarterly fire inspection.” After these fraudulent inspections are completed, businesses receive an invoice for various services that were allegedly preformed. This is followed by aggressive professional collection efforts.
San Miguel Fire District conducts inspections once per calendar year, and does mail invoices for cost recovery after inspections are completed. However all fire department personnel wear a uniform with a badge above the left pocket. The uniforms also have a patch that has the department name and logo on the left sleeve. If you have any doubts about the identity of an inspector, please ask for ID from the fire depart,emt/
Fire officials advice to businesses is this: DO NOT let anyone inspect your fire extinguishers, sprinkler system or fire alarm unless you have called for the service or unless it is requested by fire department personnel when they perform their annual fire inspections.
If you believe you have experienced a fraudulent inspection, please contact the San Miguel Fire District at 619-670-0500.
If you live in another fire district and suspect you have been approached about such a scam, contact your local fire department or law enforcement officials.
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