N.Y. Businesses Warned About Possible Fire Extinguisher Scam

October 22, 2007

Business owners in Rockland, N.Y. are being warned about fire extinguisher inspectors who have been charging twice the going rate. The warning comes from Rockland’s Consumer Protection Commissioner Terry Grosselfinger who said Accurate Fire Protection Systems of West Babylon, Long Island has agreed to suspend its activity in Rockland until his office concludes its investigation.

Grosselfinger says in several cases the business owner protested the bill and inspector immediately reduced the amount if the bill were paid in cash.

Grosselfinger says the charge was nearly double what other fire extinguisher inspections cost. He says in one case two extinguishers were removed from a store two months ago, and have yet to be returned.