Please be alert to two scams that have really lit up the airwaves. Please feel free to share this and any of the scam cards on the website with all your friends and family. Awareness is the only way we will protect ourselves from these bad actors.
UNEMPLOYMENT/US BANK RELIA CARD SCAM
Your employer informs you of receiving an unemployment benefits application from you. You didn’t apply for it. You also may receive a US Bank Reliacard for your unemployment benefits (which you did NOT apply for). We have been getting hundreds of reports of these scam applications. Here is what you need to do:
UNEMPLOYMENT SCAM
1. File a report with law enforcement (Larimer County call non-emergency number 970-416-1985)
2. File a fraud complaint at https://cdle.colorado.gov/fraud-prevention.
3. Report identity theft at www.identitytheft.gov
4. Place a fraud alert on your credit at one of the credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
5. Request a free copy of your credit report from each and review for any suspicious activity.
6. Contact your bank to let them know your personal info has been compromised.
7. Monitor your banking/credit transactions closely for any suspicious activity.
USBANK RELIACARD (in addition to the above action)
Call USBank and deactivate card.
Go to US Bank website and file a report under “card inquiry” tab.
COMPUTER SCAM
I have been hit with this one twice this week and yesterday I received a call from someone who purchased $2,000 in Best Buy gift cards because that is what the person told him to do when he called the number on the screen to get it fixed. In addition, they asked him to allow them to get on his computer to fix it and they downloaded all his personal information such as credit card, banking, etc. They then moved money from his savings to his checking. Best Buy did not alert him to this being a scam.
You get a bunch of pop-ups on your screen with warnings and a number to call – while your computer has a loud pulsing alarm going off and a voice telling you NOT to turn off your computer. After experiencing this twice this week I can attest to the level of alarm you feel when these sirens go off and a voice is telling you not to turn off your computer.
Here’s what you need to do – TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER! WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART! The pop-up will be gone. NEVER give anyone access to your computer, and NEVER pay anyone with money or gift cards.
Please check out our webpage for updates on scams and new scams we have to be wary of.
For more info on scams, visit Larimer County Crime Prevention Unit.
Happy new year!
Barbara EJ Bennett, MBA
LCSO Chief Scambuster
Sheriff’s Auxiliary/Crime Prevention Unit Coordinator
Threat Liaison Officer (TLO)
Crime prevention unit: 970-498-5159
Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
2501 Midpoint Drive
Ft Collins, CO 80525