The Philadelphia L&I Office is warning of a suspect that is trying to extort money of unsuspecting citizens. The Mayor’s Office reports:
L&I Commissioner Carlton Williams warned Philadelphians to ask for proper identification from any L&I inspector who comes to a resident’s door in the wake of reports that an individual has sought entry into homes last Friday, yesterday and today in Kensington and Hunting Park.
“The Department of Licenses & Inspections is very concerned about reports of an individual purporting to be an L&I inspector attempting to enter our citizens’ homes,” L&I Commissioner Carlton Williams said. “We are working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department and other officials to investigate these reports. All citizens should be aware that inspectors from the Department of Licenses & Inspections wear official uniforms and will produce identification and business cards upon request. Inspectors will never request payment or state that a fee is owed.”
In today’s incident, the homeowner said the person posing as an L&I inspector flashed a badge of some kind and then asked for a $91 payment, which the homeowner provided. In other incidents, the person posing as an inspector has informed residents that a next-door neighbor’s house is to be torn down or an adjacent lot must be cleaned out and that the phony inspector must gain entry to the occupied residence.
“I urge all citizens to remain vigilant. If you are approached by an individual purporting to be an L&I inspector, please request to see identification. If you have any doubt that the individual is in fact an L&I inspector, you should refuse entry and call 911 immediately. Citizens can also contact L&I at 215-686-2400 to verify whether an inspector is scheduled to be at the location,” Williams said.
