Alert on Unauthorised Business Activities
25 July 2016
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has received public feedback about companies claiming to be endorsed by the SCDF to sell fire extinguishers and/ or conduct fire safety talks to the public. Furthermore, aggressive, "hard-sell" techniques were adopted to get the public to purchase their products, fire insurance or signing up for their fire safety talks and training seminars.
In some instances, the sales personnel had shown their company pass with photo identification or the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, to give the impression that they were representing the SCDF. Some even threatened to issue fines to the public if they do not purchase their products.
We would like to inform members of the public that the SCDF is not involved in any sales of fire extinguishers or insurance policy. The SCDF has also not authorised any company to conduct such activities on its behalf. The SCDF would like to remind members of public to exercise caution when dealing with such person or company.
House to house visits by SCDF personnel
While SCDF personnel, together with members of the grassroots, are starting to conduct house to house visits in residential heartlands to spread the key messages on SG Secure, they do not compel residents to purchase fire extinguishers. Each household is encouraged to be equipped with fire extinguishers but it is not mandatory to own one. Residents will not be fined by SCDF for not having fire extinguishers at home.
It is also a standard procedure for SCDF personnel on official duties to display their warrant card, NS Identity Card or letter of authorisation, as proof of authentication. A sample of the authorisation letter carried by SCDF officers during their SG Secure house visit is shown below.
Additional information
Members of the public are advised to lodge a police report for cases involving the impersonation of SCDF officers or unauthorised business activities.
Individuals who wish to file a complaint against such companies can call CASE's hotline 6100-0315 for assistance. They can also file an online complaint via CASE's website or walk in to CASE"s office located at 170 Ghim Moh Road.