By Shannon Lukens.
Be aware of scams targeting local residents, in many different forms.
“Peter McKenzie, the CEO Manager here at the Publishers Clearance House. Is this the first time getting a call to be notified about your winnings?”
This was a call we received where he next asked if we want to pay our taxes online, which you can’t do.
“Where are you calling from, Peter?”
“I’m calling from New York Jamaica.”
“New York, Jamaica?”
“Right. Would you be interested today to pay your taxes online.”
Lane Iacovetto with the Routt County Treasurer’s Office says Routt County property owners are getting a text message that says their property will be sold for unpaid property taxes and it tells you to call a phone number to pay off the taxes. That’s also a scam.
“Well it sounds scary, too. They’re saying that your property is going to be sold at public auction so I can see how people would fall for it. Keep your money and don’t fall for the fraud.”
Property Tax is only collected in the County Treasurer’s office, and never by a third-party collector.
Yampa Valley Bank put out a warning about a fraud alert of scam calls from someone pretending to be with the Wells Fargo Fraud Department. The phone call says it is actually from a Wells Fargo number but it isn’t.
Becca Knowles is the Senior Vice President with Yampa Valley Bank. She says the scammers use scare tactics to try to intimidate you to think someone is stealing your money or you’re going to be taken to court if you don’t pay the money.
“If I could give one piece of advice, just hang up when you get a phone call like that and call your bank directly and work through your account and make sure everything is OK.”
Knowles says if you get an invoice about paying a wire transfer, assume it is fraud.
“Every day, we probably see five to ten fraud attempts made to our customers whether it’s via their debit card, or wire request, or going to buy gift cards to send off to somebody. And those things are rarely legit.”
Reach out to your local police department if you think you are being scammed.
More on the Story — Be aware of more scam attempts on local residents
Winter parking restrictions go into place today. That means no parking on city streets in Steamboat Springs overnight, through April 30. You could get a ticket. The restrictions are in place so the snowplow drivers can do their jobs. The communities of Oak Creek and Hayden also have winter parking restrictions.
More on the Story — Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect as of Friday, Nov. 1
Snowmaking has started at Steamboat Resort with 27 automated snowguns up top by Sunshine, and 73 on the lower mountain. The scheduled Opening Day for Steamboat Resort is Nov. 23.
The Steamboat Springs Eco Club will be on the lawn of the historic Routt County Courthouse at 2:15 p.m. today (Friday, Nov. 1), to raise awareness about climate change and the climate crisis.
Friday, there is an exhibit called Good Grief! By Krystal Mackey at St. Paul’s Church in Steamboat Springs. Stop by between 5-8 p.m.
STARS is hosting the ski film, “Calm Beneath Castles,” by Matchstick Productions. It’s Nov. 1-2. Tickets and showtimes are online at SteamboatFilmFestival.com
Calm Beneath Castles: Official Trailer
The Hayden Holiday Craft Fair is full of fun gifts, to get you ready for the holiday season. It’s from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Hayden Center Gymnasium, sponsored by the Hayden Arts Commission. And it’s FREE.
Mythology Distillery presents Avalanche Awareness Night with “Know before you go.” The evening is led by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. This is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Mythology Distillery.
The First Responders & Veterans Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Moffat County Pavilion, sponsored by The Lighthouse of Craig.
It’s Homecoming Week for the SoRoCo Rams. Volleyball games are at 3 p.m. today and the Homecoming football game is at 7 p.m. against Plateau Valley. The Homecoming Dance is Saturday night.
Friday night is Senior Night for the Moffat County Bulldogs. They host Middle Park at 7 p.m.
Friday is also Senior Night for the Hayden Tigers. The game is at 7 p.m. against West Grand.
The Steamboat Sailors have a 1 p.m. home game Saturday against Glenwood Springs.
Steamboat Springs High School is sending two athletes to the Colorado Cross Country State Championships in Colorado Springs this weekend. Asher Rowan has qualified. Xavier Knott will defend his title in the Unified Division.
More on the Story — SSHS Cross Country competes at regionals
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.