Full Notification

Date of Release: February 8, 2014

The West Covina Police Department has recently received reports regarding a subject who was conducting possible fraudulent business inspections regarding state mandated fire sprinkler and extinguishers systems.

On January 27, 2014 between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, a male subject contacted two local West Covina businesses in the 200 block of South Citrus Avenue claiming to be an inspector acting on behalf of the property owners to check the location’s internal sprinkler and fire extinguisher system to see if they are in compliance. In both instances, the male was allowed to enter and conducted a “visual” inspection of the ceiling mounted sprinklers and fire extinguishers which lasted approximately 5 minutes. At each location, the victims signed a form regarding the inspections.

Several days later, each of these businesses received a bill for the inspection services for $325.00. The property owner where the businesses are located was contacted regarding the inspections and in each case, no such service was requested.

Follow-up investigation revealed at that in October, 2013, a similar incident occurred at one of the local West Covina car dealerships using the same ruse where a loss of over $6000.00 was reported.

The male was described as either Caucasian or Hispanic in his mid-thirties, casually dressed. Neither of the victims recall if the subject wore any identification or company attire.

The West Covina Police Department is issuing this Public Service Announcement alerting businesses as well as residents to be aware of this type of possible fraudulent activity both locally and in surrounding communities. It is likely that this type of fraud is affecting businesses outside of the West Covina area.

 Verify with your property owners if such an inspection was ordered. In many cases, you would have already been contacted by the owners advising you of such an inspection.
 Make your employees aware of contact information of the property owners should they have to contact them.
 Request to see identification. Legitimate inspectors with company identification will always provide it.
 Be aware of what you are signing. In doing so, you may be agreeing to pay for the service, regardless of what takes place.
 If you deem the activity suspicious, contact your local law enforcement agency.

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Information released by:
West Covina Police Department
Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626 939-8500

Web: www.wcpd.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WestCovinaPD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Covina-Police-Department/458611067493257
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