WASHINGTON – The new year has come with a new scam.
A flyer has circulated to businesses in Prince George’s County requiring a $25 fee for a fire inspection. The flyer also has the address to the county fire operations building.
“This flyer contained false information about the amount of the fee,” says Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department. “As a matter of fact, it was so low we believe it was just an enticement for someone to pay this to get a cut rate fee for an inspection.”
A number of companies throughout the county undergo annual fire inspections to ensure their facilities are up to code. The fees vary depending on the type of business, but they’re much higher than $25, according to Brady.
While he says the department has only been contacted by one business that received the phony flyer, an investigation is ongoing into who is behind its distribution. Brady says anyone who receives a flyer should call 911 immediately to report the incident.
Below is copy of the hoax flyer:
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This flyer has been handed out to several business in Prince George’s County. (Courtesy of Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department)
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