Fraud/scam alert
Information provided by the DCSO
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) continues to receive reports of a fraudulent scheme where someone is representing themselves to be a DCSO deputy.
The suspect calls on the phone and tells the citizen they have to immediately pay a fee in order to prevent their driver’s license from being suspended and a warrant issued for their arrest, because they missed a court date for a jury summons. DCSO has taken multiple reports since the beginning of the year with some variation of the above.
The suspect tells the victim they can avoid being arrested by wiring money.
The DCSO reminds citizens that no law enforcement agency contacts citizens by phone, e-mail or regular mail and tells them to pay fees/fines by wiring money, using pre-paid money cards, using a money telegram, or using similar methods. Please review the tips listed below.
If you believe you are a victim or attempted victim of this crime, it is important to file a report with your local law enforcement agency or call the DCSO tip line at 303-660-7579.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim:
Never give your personal identification information over the phone or computer. You may make an exception if you initiated the call or contact and you are certain that you are talking to a trustworthy employee of a trustworthy business.
Never wire money to anyone claiming to be a police officer to get out of an arrest, etc.
Never wire money to get more money back (sweepstakes or lottery), or help someone get out of a bad situation such as an arrest, or a broken down vehicle, especially if the person requesting the money is not known to you personally, or the person called and claimed to be a distant relative, etc.
