The Santa Monica Fire Prevention Division has issued a warning to business owners to be on the lookout for “fake” fire inspectors. People posing as “fire Inspectors” offer to conduct an inspection of the business, wear official-looking uniform, and claim they are inspecting on behalf of the fire department.

Typically, the bogus inspector appears uninvited, asks an employee to sign a form authorizing the “inspection, ” and subsequently demands money on the spot, or sends a bill.

This scam is happening all over Southern California.

The only legitimate inspections in Santa Monica are conducted by
the Santa Monica Fire Department. Our members identify themselves as SMFD personnel, contact the owner or manager of the business, announce their reason for making the inspection,explain what they will be inspecting, discuss their findings when their inspection is complete.

All our members carry identification that clearly states their names and positions in the Santa Monica Fire Department.

If someone arrives uninvited, claims he or she is there to conduct a fire inspection, or does anything suspicious, call 911 for the Santa Monica Police Department and then call the Fire Prevention Division (310-458-8915) to report the incident. If possible, get the name and phone number of the company of the person posing as a fire inspector.

SMFD is working to stop the bogus inspections as they costs business owners money for services that serve no purpose.