HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — Officials are warning restaurant owners of new scam that targets them in a ploy to gain access to their financial accounts. Food establishments have received phone calls purportedly from the Hennepin County Public Health Department.

The caller falsely states there are illness complaints against the restaurant and demands a small credit card payment to cover the cost of the special inspection that supposedly will be forthcoming.

If the owner does provide their credit card number, the caller may then tell the owner the card provided didn't work and demand a second credit card number. Officials say it's an illegal ploy to get to owner's money.