Businesses beware.

Your neighbors and fellow businesses have been the target of several different scams recently.

Here is one:

If anyone calls you claiming to be from the American Chamber of Commerce and requests information, you should be aware that there is no American Chamber of Commerce. Unethical persons can use information you provide over the phone to open bank and credit card accounts, or order merchandise and more in your name. If you have questions of concerns about a solicitation, please feel free to call the Pasadena Chamber before you turn over any information or make any payments.

Here is another:

Fraudulent Fire Investigators Targeting Local Businesses

Businesses in Pasadena and across the state have been targeted by scam artists who wear official-looking blue shirts and pants and claim they are there to "inspect" the fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, or sprinkler systems. They ask an unsuspecting employee to sign a form authorizing the inspection. Weeks or months later, a bill comes to the business's owner for "work done" or "services rendered." The bill, sometimes for an annual inspection appears to have been signed by an employee, but occasionally is fraudulently signed once a responsible party is identified (i.e. manager, supervisor, lead person).

The Pasadena Fire Department wants area businesses to know that while local fire department officials do conduct such inspections, the bill for the inspection comes from the City of Pasadena and not a private billing company. These inspections are conducted annually or bi-annually based on the occupancy. Before allowing any inspector to enter your business, require the individual to present government-issued identification. Pasadena Fire Department inspectors and firefighters all wear badges, and their uniforms will have a Pasadena Fire Department patch. Additionally, inspectors will be driving official Pasadena Fire Department vehicles with government license plates or an emergency vehicle.

If you suspect suspicious activity, or have been a victim of the fraudulent activity, contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or the Pasadena Fire Department at (626) 744-7184.

Address/Location:
Pasadena Fire Department - CA
215 Marengo Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 626-744-4655
Lisa Derderian
lderderian@cityofpasadena.net
626-744-7276

And one more we heard about recently that involves persons claiming to be representatives of local utility companies who insist your bill is overdue and want you to pay with a pre-paid credit card:

Scammers and con artists are calling businesses and claiming that utilities will be shut off immediately if a payment is not made right away using a pre-paid debit card.

Out utility company will never shut of utilities without providing written notice. Pasadena Water and Power, Edison, AT&T, Charter and the Gas Company never demand payment by perpaid debit card.

If you receive a call or notice, take the time to verify it with your utility provider.

You can always call the Chamber for the correct contact information. Also, please let us know if you become aware of any con-artists, scammers, theives or crooks scheming to take money from honest and hard working businesses.

FINALLY:

The IRS never calls you about delinquent taxes. If you are called and told to settle a tax claim, do not pay. This is a scam.