Scams & Fraud

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The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, including scammers! That is why it is critical we stay ahead of them to make sure consumers of all ages are aware of which scams are being perpetrated and how to avoid them. Please read and share the attached AARP Foundation ElderWatch Smart Tips on avoiding holiday scams. The Colorado Attorney General’s office also offers an excellent booklet on holiday scams.

Few things can be more annoying than answering the phone while you're in the middle of something. Unfortunately, illegal telemarketing calls have our phones ringing more than ever, costing victims of scammers millions each year.

Recently, there has be an uptick in reports of scam calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. During these calls the scammer tells their potential victim that they will not be receiving their Social Security check because they have been “blacklisted” or they are in trouble with the authorities. We believe one of the reasons these calls have “bubbled up” might be because people are aware of the IRS scam and scammers are looking for a different way to scare their victim into sending money or sharing their personal information.

Be on the lookout for scammers and fraudsters.

Between the ages of 16 and 21, Frank Abagnale successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a doctor and cashed millions in fraudulent checks. In case you didn’t read the best-selling book…spoiler alert…he got caught and his exploits were depicted in the movie Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram provide a convenient way to connect with friends and family. It is important to remember that scammers also use these platforms to find victims. Scammers often create fake profiles and pretend to either be someone you know, someone you want to know or an entity you trust. Because there are fake profiles it is difficult to know who you can trust. The following are some red flags that you might be targeted by a scammer on Facebook or other social media platform:

On TV or in publications some products advertise free trial offers that claim to be “risk free.” However, some “free” trial offers end up being traps that lock consumers into plans that charge recurring fees that happen automatically.

Coloradans can learn how to protect themselves from scams from one of the world’s most respected authorities on forgeries and embezzlement: Frank Abagnale.

Jury duty scams are one of the most common and tricky variations of imposter scams out there. Typically these scams begin with a phone call where the scammer identifies themselves as an officer of the court or from the local sheriff’s department. The scammer then claims you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest.