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.
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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