Scams

Fallen Officer Scam
The JeffCo Sheriff’s Office has recently received seven reports of a person using fallen JCSO Sergeant Dave Baldwin’s name in an effort to scam money from individuals.

We’re pleased that none of the people contacted fell victim to the fraud and we’d like to remind everyone that the Sheriff’s Office will never call you asking for money.

In five of the incidents, the caller tried to solicit money from the person saying they had a warrant for not appearing for jury duty. In the other calls, the person identified themselves as Dave Baldwin or said they were soliciting money for the Baldwin Memorial Fund.

If you receive such a call, please report it immediately by calling 303-271-5550 and do not send any money or give the person any personal identification.

Please Call Dispatch for Assistance
303-271-0211

Overpayment Scam or a Fake Check Scam
In this type of scam, victims who have items listed for sale on online forums, or on classified ad websites like Craigslist, are contacted by a person claiming to be an interested buyer.

The buyer sends the victim a check that is over the asking amount for the item, claiming this was done accidentally or that the extra funds are for a moving company that will be picking up the item. The buyer then asks the victim to deposit the check, and wire the difference back, or wire the difference to the moving company.

Either way, after the check is deposited and processed by the victim's bank, the check is discovered to be fake or forged.

Please Call Dispatch for Assistance
303-271-0211

Mystery Shopper Scam
In this scam, the victim is invited to become a mystery shopper. Some victims are contacted via e-mail or receive a letter via regular mail, while others find advertisements on various Internet websites for jobs as a mystery shopper. The scam tricks the victim into depositing a forged or counterfeit check for a large sum into their own personal account.

The victim is then instructed to go to a designated business, often a business with Western Union or Money Gram services, wire a large percentage of the funds to an individual outside the United States, and keep a small percentage as their pay. In most cases, the victim does not learn the check was counterfeit until the money has already been wired out of the country, and therefore, the victim is responsible for the financial loss.

Please Call Dispatch for Assistance
303-271-0211