FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  August 18, 2022                                     

Contact: Christine Duplan, Public Information Officer

(970) 423-8901

Christine.Duplan@summitcountyco.gov

SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REMINDS COMMUNITY TO BE AWARE OF PHONE SCAMS

SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – The Summit County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public to be vigilant in recognizing fraud schemes. Every year, thousands of people lose money to telephone and internet scams. The amount lost can vary from a few dollars to a considerable sum of money. 

Recently there has been an increase of reports of telephonic fraud schemes from citizens throughout Summit County. During the schemes, people most commonly reported receiving a phone call from a member of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, claiming that the citizen has a warrant for their arrest and then directs them how to pay for the warrant electronically, most commonly with the use of prepaid credit or gift cards. Other schemes included citizens receiving a call from someone impersonating a Sheriff’s Office Deputy, claiming the citizen failed to appear for jury duty and need to send money to clear the issue. 

Telephone and internet fraud schemes are prevalent and can target anyone. Scammers will say anything to get information from you to use for their benefit. They may claim to be affiliated with an entity you trust to convince you to offer personal information such as a credit card or your social security number. 

“Please be aware of who you are speaking to and remember that any sort of tactic may be used to gather information. Do not be a victim. If someone unfamiliar to you calls, do not give out your personal information and hang up immediately. Neither law enforcement, nor the Social Security Administration, or Internal Revenue Service, will ever call you to advise you of a warrant or jury duty, or ask you to submit funds electronically, most commonly with the use of prepaid credit or gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the FBI to solve this latest telephonic fraud re-emergence,” said Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.

Unfortunately, these types of fraud schemes tend to dilute people's trust and belief in who they are really speaking to, so we ask that you please be mindful when dealing with suspicious phone calls. Remember; do not give out personal information. To learn more about common fraud schemes visit the Internet crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov or Stop Fraud Colorado at https://www.stopfraudcolorado.gov/.

Should you have any questions or doubts about phone calls you are receiving please call the Summit County Communications non-emergency line at 970-668-8600.

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