For Immediate Release:
August 13, 2020
Contact: Matt Baca — (505) 270-7148
Santa Fe, NM—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a scam alert, warning
New Mexico restaurants and other businesses not to become fraud victims. According to
new field reports, individuals impersonating an Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
inspector are visiting New Mexico restaurants and collecting $100 “fines” for alleged
violations. Only after paying the “fine” do restaurants discover that the so-called inspector
is a fraud.
“No restaurant or other business should ever pay a government inspector without proof
that the inspector is legitimate,” said Attorney General Balderas. “Anyone caught
impersonating a government agent to take advantage of someone will be held
accountable.”
The Office of the Attorney General reminds businesses that authorized inspectors will
always present credentials when visiting a restaurant or other business and any concerns
or fines will be presented through official means, such as in writing. Legitimate inspectors
will never request social security numbers, credit card or other personal information.
The Attorney General requests that any business approached by fraudulent scammers
report the incident to his office at www.nmag.gov or call 1-844-255-9210.