Telephone scam affects Steamboat Springs residents

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Several locals have been victims of a telephone scam that makes people believe they owe money to the Steamboat Springs Police Department.

One individual lost several thousand dollars on Tuesday after sending money to a scam caller.

The calls appear on phones’ caller ID logs to come from the Police Department. A news release from police said that recipients of the calls are told they have an unpaid fine. If they do not pay the fine via wire transfer, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

This is a fraudulent claim.

“The Steamboat Springs Police Department does not conduct business in this manner,” Commander Jerry Stabile said in the news release. “Our agency never accepts wire transfers for payment of any sort.”

The news release said that, if people receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Police Department and requesting money, use caution. Police urge those who have been contacted by telephone regarding an unpaid fine or have been threatened with arrest to contact the Police Department to report the incident at 970-879-4344.

Police recommend people check their monthly credit card statements regularly and report suspicious activity to their credit card company immediately. Parents should especially monitor any purchases by their children for online games, videos and programs.

Anyone with additional questions or concerns about fraudulent activity should call the Steamboat Springs Police Department at 970-879-1144. Read the entire news release from the Police Department here.

To reach Derek Maiolo, call 970-871-4247, email dmaiolo@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @derek_maiolo.