TACOMA, Wash. - Are scammers preying on unsuspecting restaurant employees in an attempt to get private information?
That's one of the questions on the mind of leaders at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department after complaints were filed Monday.
Dr. Anthony Chen, the Director of Health at the TPC Health Department, says someone has called up restaurants in Bonney Lake and Lakewood posing as a food inspector and "demanding information, personal information."
However, Chen says, "it's not something we as a department would do."
The callers have been threatening employees with $5,000 in fines if they don't comply.
Chen says his inspectors show up unannounced at restaurants and don't call in advance.
The scheme is similar to another in Snohomish County last week, where seven restaurants complained of bogus inspector calls.
Chen says any employee concerned about the phone calls should call his department or the Federal Trade Commission:
Tacoma Pierce County Health Department: 253-798-6045
Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov/phonefraud): 877-382-4357
To add a comment, please register or login.