Health department warns of food-inspection scam artists

CINCINNATI - Some Ohio restaurants and food-related businesses have been served a sour dish — calls from scammers trying to schedule inspection visits in an attempt to pick up personal information.

The Ohio State Department of Health has informed the Cincinnati Health Department that several departments throughout the state have received calls from purported “health inspectors,” who are trying to profit through their duplicity. The callers either try to gain information to sell goods fraudulently or to collect money directly.

The Cincinnati Health Department does not schedule its health inspections over the phone, according to a department release. The actual inspectors show up without making an appointment and wear a photo ID.

The health department cautions food-service workers not to give out personal, private or secure information without confirming the inspector’s identity.

Any restaurant worker or food-service operator who receives such a call or is suspicious about any person claiming to be a health inspector should call (513) 357-7203 for verification.

The City of Cincinnati licenses more than 2,100 food-service operations and restaurants each year, according to the release.