Phone scammers impersonating Denver Sheriff Department deputies are trying to steal thousands of dollars by claiming people failed to appear in court and must pay a fine to avoid jail, according to agency officials.
The caller identifies themself as a deputy and sometimes gives a fake badge number and other information before telling the victim there’s a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear in court, contempt of court or not appearing in court after signing a jury summons.
The scammers sometimes leave a voicemail instructing the victim to return the call about an important legal matter and may use the name of a real judge or deputy, said department spokesperson Daria Serna.
Victims are then told they have been fined $25,000 and need to pay 10%, or $2,500, in bail to avoid going to jail.
The phone number associated with the scam is also similar to the main Denver Sheriff Department phone number listed online, according to the agency.
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Deputies and police officers will never call to request payment for failing to appear in court and will never suggest meeting in person for a cash payment or ask for a wire transfer, sheriff and court officials said in a news release.
Anyone who receives a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be a Denver deputy or other law enforcement should report it to their local police department and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office or the Denver District Attorney’s Office fraud hotline at 720-913-9179.
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