The Department of Planning and Permitting said today the public should be aware of several incidents in which men impersonating DPP inspectors asked for money in exchange for canceling building violations.

The DPP has received several phone calls from Wahiawa residents who say a man claiming to be a building inspector approached them at their homes and said there were deficiencies in the construction of their residences. The man said he would cite the homeowners unless he was given money. Another incident occurred in Kalihi, where the homeowner was approached by a man who made similar claims and demands.

In each case, the home was either under construction or had just completed construction. The DPP has filed police reports in both cases.

The DPP said its inspectors do not ask for cash. All DPP inspectors are required to show an official city ID badge with the employee’s photo, name, department, and city seal. DPP inspectors also carry a special inspector’s badge that has the employee’s photo, city seal, type of inspector, and name in large type.

Anyone who questions the validity of a person claiming to be a DPP employee should call the department at 768-8000 for verification, or call police.