Now here’s a scam: Someone is visiting businesses, posing as an inspector, and requesting immediate compensation for violations.

The report comes from the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). The latest incident occurred earlier this month at a market in San Francisco.

What happened: A man represented himself as a DLSE investigator and sought cash in lieu of issuing citations.

An investigator will never request payment in lieu of citations or ask for money onsite, according to California state officials. If an investigator requests payment, employers should call the Division of Labor Standards at 415-703-4810. The Division will then contact local authorities.

Before an inspection, a real Labor Standards investigator will:

• identify him or herself using state ID and a business card
• discuss the employer’s rights and responsibilities during the inspection, and
• explain what happens during the inspection.

A federal OSHA factsheet on what to expect during an inspection can be downloaded here (PDF).

Tags: California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, employer's rights during inspection, immediate payment for violations