CUMMING — The fire marshal's office in Forsyth County has reported that scammers have targeted two local restaurants, trying to bilk them out of money over the phone.
Fire Department Division Chief Jason Shivers said the two incidents happened on the same day this week. The phone caller claimed to be acting under authorization of the Forsyth County Fire Marshal's Office.
"The claim was that we had failed their vent system on an inspection and that this individual was an approved contractor to come in and begin repair work to their vent hood system so that they would pass their inspection," said Shivers. "Then they claimed they would need $400 over the telephone immediately to begin that repair process."
Shivers said fortunately the two managers did not fall for the ruse, but officials are worried there may be some victims who have not come forward.
"Our fear is that, perhaps, someone did in fact go along with this scam and paid someone over the phone for services never rendered," said Shivers.
Shivers said the phone callers are smart enough to ask for $400, which is just under the amount that would make the crime a felony.
"The individuals that are conducting this scam are, in fact, breaking the law," said Shivers. "There's fraud that's being conducted and impersonating a government official - both of which are misdemeanors."
Shivers said department officials are not happy that someone is trying to steal from the public under the guise of the fire department.
"We are tracking this case very closely, and if the individuals that think they're being cute by working this scam in our community...they need to pack up and move elsewhere very, very quickly," said Shivers. "We take it extremely seriously...and it's quite offensive to us [as firefighters]."
Shivers said anyone who receives a suspicious call or has any related information should call the Forsyth County Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office at 678-455-8072.
