WHITESTONE — The Health Department is cautioning city property owners about a tricky new scam involving bogus pest control violation notices.
The mailed letters appear on fake Health Department letterhead and seek anywhere from $120 to $280 to be mailed to “Vermin Control of New York” in Whitestone, Queens.
They’re signed by a former Department of Buildings commissioner and demand payments for alleged “assessment and eradication of vermin,” according to the Health Department.
“Unscrupulous people are mailing fraudulent violation notices acting as the Health Department’s Division of Pest Control,” Assistant Commissioner for Pest Control Services Mario Merlino said.
“New Yorkers should know that the Health Department never issues a notice of violation demanding immediate payment. Our notices of violation allow New York City residents to address any violations and they can be contested at an official hearing.”
The agency is asking property owners to call 311 or the Health Department if they’ve received the letter.
