Fake Fire Marshalls Scamming People In Pass Area

BANNING-BEAUMONT, CA — Police and city officials in Banning and Beaumont are warning about a scam that has hit the area.

Fraudsters claiming to be fire inspectors and/or fire marshals are contacting locals. The ploy includes doing "inspections" and then trying to get paid for the "services," the cities announced Tuesday.

"Anyone conducting city inspections will never ask for payment in the field; all payments are handled through Customer Service at City Hall," both cities said via social media.

The cities also advised that legitimate officials wear uniforms with either an official city logo or, in the case of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, have a badge and patch.

City officials and fire inspectors carry identification as well as city-issued business cards. Official city business is conducted in city vehicles marked with logos or other official emblems, according to officials.

The same is true for Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department personnel, according to the agency's spokesperson Rob Rosen. Money is never accepted in the field and all fire marshalls have identification and wear Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department uniforms.

If someone is trying to con you in Beaumont, call the city's business line at 951-769-8520 or the Beaumont Police Department at 951-769-8500. For city of Banning residents and businesses, contact the city's business line at 951-922-3185 or the Banning Police Department at 951-922-3170.