Restaurant Scam

A scam on restaurant operators by people claiming to be health inspectors has been occurring around the U.S. and Canada. Today DHSS was informed that a restaurant in Missouri was contacted by someone claiming to represent “the State Health Department” and who also requested the restaurant’s “security code” and stated they would conduct a restaurant inspection the following day. The scam involves a series of phone calls asking for “security codes”, and sometimes, the caller threatens the restaurant owner will be fined for lack of cooperation. The calls are designed to pry personal information out of the restaurant operators. There are variations on the scam, but the calls generally involve requests for “security code” information. Some reports also suggest that the callers may have requested personal information, such as cell phone numbers. DHSS encourages any restaurant that receives a call from someone saying they are from the health department and asking for security codes, and saying they will be at the restaurant shortly to conduct an inspection, to not participate and to notify local law enforcement authorities. Public health inspectors do not typically announce their visits. Business owners who believe that they were targeted by a scam such as this should contact their local law enforcement authority.