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Setting the Record Straight
November 4, 2008 WHEN YOUR GRANDSON ISN’T YOUR GRANDSON One of the many scams that frequently targets seniors is the call for help from someone posing as a grandchild or distant relative. When the victim, usually elderly, answers the phone the caller typically says “It’s your grandson” (granddaughter, nephew, etc.) or just “It’s me”. Sometimes the victim will reply with something like, “Is that you, Steve?” Now the scammer has a name and pretends to be Steve and explains that he has gotten into trouble and needs the victim to wire him some money immediately. This fraud is being perpetrated daily around the world, including consumers who have been targeted in the To protect yourself (and elderly parents, grandparents, etc.), District Attorney Carol Chambers recommends: 1. Never supply a name when someone calls pretending to be a relative or former neighbor or acquaintance. Make the caller tell you who they are. 2. Even if they seem to have all the right information, check the caller’s story with other family members before you consider sending money or giving information to the caller. 18th Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers is urging consumers to be extra careful with e-mails claiming to be delivering information about the Olympics, the Democratic or Republican National Conventions, or any other major news event. E-mails with titles that include the words “breaking news” may be phishing scams designed to steal your personal information or they may contain malicious software that will harm your computer. One recent example of a scam e-mail appeared to be an MSNBC.com Breaking News Alert. See attached copy. Anytime there are major events such as the Olympics or the national political conventions, scammers will be trying to pass their bogus e-mails as legitimate news coming from real and well-recognized organizations or agencies. To keep you safe District Attorney Carol Chambers recommends: 1. Do not open e-mails from unknown sources, regardless of the e-mail title. 2. Know where you have signed up for news alerts. If you did not sign up to receive an e-mail from a source, treat it with care. 3. If you want the alleged information from an email - to ensure safety go to the noted sender’s website to read the news. If the e-mail says it is from MSNBC.com, type in www.MSNBC.com on your web browser and read about it there. But you must type the address in yourself; do not click on a link in the e-mail. If you click on a link embedded in the e-mail and the sender is a scammer, you will regret it. For further information about this scam or others, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has a Fraud Assistance Line at 720-874-8547. July 25, 2008
A local consumer looking for a home to rent found her dream home in an ad on Craig’s List. And the price was within her budget; in fact it was a surprising low rent for a house of this caliber. After getting a tour of the house on two occasions, the victim paid the owner an $1100 deposit prior to signing a lease. There was only one problem. She never heard from the “owner” again, and discovered that the woman who took her money was not the owner of the home. The home was listed with a local realtor and was for sale, not rent. Rental scams using the Internet are very common and have previously involved scammers sending e-mails from overseas and money being wired overseas. This is the first time we have a perpetrator that was actually present at the fake rental site, and who collected the money in person. The District Attorney cautions anyone seeking to rent or purchase a home to take the following precautions: 1. Independently verify that the person who is offering the home is the legal owner of that property. Contact the local County Clerks Office or go to the Clerk’s website and determine the legal owner from the property records. 2. Verify the identity of the person who claims to be the owner. Ask for personal identification. 3. Don’t rely on pictures of the property provided by the seller. Drive by the property and make sure it exists. If there is a real estate sign in the yard, call the realtor to determine why his/her sign is there. 4. Do not pay any deposits upfront. Funds should only change hands when you know you are dealing with the real owner, the lease is signed and you get possession of the home. Need help? Call the Consumer Protection Line 720-874-8547
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18th Judicial District
News & Upcoming Events The Citizen's Academy A free, four-week course that demystifies the criminal justice system and provides an inside look at your District Attorney's Office. The Citizens Academy is open to the public. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Reporting a Crime Contact the Law Enforcement Agency where the crime occurred. Click here for a complete Agency Listing for the 18th Judicial District. E-Mail the D.A.
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