FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  October 25, 2018

Contact: Erin Opsahl

(970) 423-8901

Erin.Opsahl@SummitCountyCO.Gov

SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REMINDS PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF PHONE SCAMS

    SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – The Summit County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public to be vigilant in recognizing fraud schemes. Every year, thousands of people lose money to telephone scams. The amount lost can vary from a few dollars to a considerable sum of money.  

Beginning the morning of October 25, 2018, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of a telephonic fraud scheme from citizens across the United States. 

During the scam, people have reported that they have received a phone call from the Sheriff’s Office main phone number 970-453-2232 and are told that their grandson has been in an accident. Some of the receivers of these calls are then instructed to provide money. 

Scammers will say anything to get information from you to use for their benefit. They may claim to be affiliated with an entity you trust to convince you to offer personal information such as a credit card or your social security number. Telephone scams are prevalent and can target anyone.  Please be aware of who you are speaking to and remember that any sort of tactic may be used to gather information. Do not be a victim. If someone calls you that you are not familiar with do not give out your information and hang up immediately.

Unfortunately, this type of fraud scheme dilutes people's trust or belief in who they're really speaking with. Please be mindful when dealing with suspicious phone calls. Do not give out personal information. To learn more about common fraud schemes visit the Internet crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov. Should you have any questions or doubts about phone calls you are receiving please call Summit County Dispatch at 970-668-8600. 

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