AUSTIN, Texas -- Region 1 detectives with the Austin Police Department are warning local restaurant and business owners about a theft by deception scam. 

Authorities said a man has been involved in gathering information about who the owner of a business is and then calling the business, pretending to be the owner and telling the employee that a customer will be coming in for a refund because he or she was overcharged.

He then shows up at the business and the employee gives him the refund, thinking it is a legitimate refund.
 
Austin police said anyone that is a business owner and receives a call from the phone numbers 512-217-3447 or 512-668-4150 and the person on the other end is either gathering information about the owner or saying he is the owner and that a customer is coming in for a refund, to be aware that it could be a scam.
 
Recent cases:

• January 31, 2018: Mr. Gattis
• March 3, 2018: Voodoo Donuts
• March 17, 2018: Mama Fu’s
• March 9, 2018: Tiff treats
• March 18, 2018: Enoteca Vespaio Restaurant
 
Below is surveillance video from November 25, 2018, at the Midtown corner store near Lamar and St. John’s: