By Shannon Lukens.
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is warning again of a scam where someone impersonates a sheriff deputy. The scammers say it’s about a jury duty summons where people have to pay, and then the victim is defrauded out of a lot of money. They make it look real like the call is actually from the sheriff’s office.
Don’t fall for it, don’t give them any personal information like a credit card number, and never go get money or gift cards or cryptocurrency over the phone or at a machine, like the ones in local grocery store lobbies.
Press Release from Routt County; May 29, 2024.
Routt County Sheriff’s Office Warns Public of Impersonation Scam
Scammers Pretending to Be Sheriff’s Deputies to Extract Money
Steamboat Springs, CO, May 29, 2024 – The Routt County Sheriff’s Office has received an increasing number of reports from concerned citizens regarding individuals impersonating sheriff’s deputies. These scammers are contacting residents and falsely claiming they need to discuss a jury duty summons, leading to several people being defrauded out of their money.
The impersonators are using sophisticated techniques to make their communications appear legitimate. They often use phone numbers that seem local or official, and their tone is urgent, creating a sense of panic and confusion among victims.
Sheriff Scherar stated, “It is deeply troubling that these scammers are exploiting the trust and authority associated with law enforcement to deceive and steal from our community members. We are actively investigating these reports and working to bring those responsible to justice.”
To help prevent further incidents, the Routt County Sheriff’s Office offers the following advice:
Be Skeptical of Threats: Scammers often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims. Legitimate law enforcement officers will not use these tactics. If your gut its telling you there is something suspicious about this, trust it!
Verify the Caller: If someone claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office contacts you about jury duty or any other legal matter, hang up and call the official number of the Sheriff’s Office directly at (970) 879-1090 to verify the claim.
Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal details, such as Social Security numbers, bank account information, or credit card numbers over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity.
No Immediate Payments: Any legitimate Law Enforcement Agency including the Sheriff’s Office would never demand immediate payment or ask for payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency over the phone. Any required payment would require coming to our offices in person.
Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the Routt County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Your report can help us track and apprehend these scammers.
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our residents. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and informed to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Find more information or report suspicious activity online or contact our office at 970.879.1090.
About Routt County Sheriff’s Office The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to serving and protecting the residents of Routt County through integrity, respect, and community partnership. We are committed to maintaining the highest quality law enforcement practices through ongoing training.
Contact:
Routt County Sheriff’s Office – talt@co.routt.co.us; RCSORecords@co.routt.co.us
970.879.1090