Scam Alert: What Every Coloradan Needs to Know 

Scammers are becoming more aggressive in Colorado, often pretending to be government officials, law enforcement officers, or business owners to trick people into sharing personal information or sending money. Older adults have been hit especially hard, with many losing millions of dollars in the past year. Real estate scams involve criminals posing as property owners to sell land or homes they don’t own. Job scams promise high pay for minimal work but are really attempts to steal personal information. Online shopping scams include fake Amazon recall texts, packages you did not order, and marketplace fraud where sellers demand payment through Venmo or Zelle. Impersonation scams feature callers pretending to be DEA agents or cybercrime investigators threatening arrest unless money is paid. Jury duty scams trick people into believing they missed jury service and must pay immediately to avoid legal trouble. 

All of these scams rely on urgency and fear, convincing victims, for example, that they missed jury duty, are under investigation, or need to act quickly to protect their accounts. Payments are often demanded through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or cash apps like Venmo and Zelle, which are nearly impossible to trace or recover. 

Despite the variety of scams, the warning signs are very similar. Red flags include instructions to keep the situation secret, requests for unusual payment methods or remote access to computers, and unexpected calls, texts, or emails from people claiming to be officials. To stay safe, never send money or share personal information in response to unsolicited contact. Instead, verify claims by reaching out directly to the actual agency, court, or company using their official phone number or website. Use call-blocking tools, when possible, sign up for property monitoring programs like the Recording Activation Notification (RAN), and avoid sending money through cash apps. Most importantly, report any suspicious activity, messages, or calls to local law enforcement. 

The best defense against fraud is to always remember these three practices:

• Know your vulnerabilities Be self-aware when you are eager to find what you want or need or when you might be too eager to help a friend or loved one in distress.
• Resist the temptation to suspend your suspicion If it’s too good – or too outrageous – to be true, it probably is.
• Be aware of pressure to act, whether to act quickly or submit any unusual payment, such as Zelle or gift cards.