The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting is warning the public about men impersonating building inspectors and asking for money to ignore building violations.

Residents from Waihawa and Kalihi have reported the scam, the department said today.

Wahiawa residents reported a man claiming to be a building inspector approached them at their homes and told them there were deficiencies in their homes’ construction.

The man said he would cite the homeowners unless they gave him money.

In Kalihi, a man approached a homeowner and made a similar demand.

In each case, the home was under construction or had just completed construction.

Police reports have been filed, the department said.

The planning department said inspectors do not ask for or demand cash and are required to show an official city ID badge with the employee’s name, photo, department, and city seal. Planning department 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 approached by someone claiming to be an inspector should ask for credentials, the department said.

Anyone questioning the validity of a person claiming to be a permitting department employee can call the Department of Planning and Permitting at 768-8000 for verification or call police.