Emergency Status
Jan 06

Marshall fire scams

  • January 6, 2022, 9:26 AM
  • Alert

The 20th Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office, Community Protection Division

What to Know

  • Scammers thrive in situations when people are stressed and take advantage of these situations
  • Know that government disaster assistance agencies do not ask for financial account information
  • There is NO FEE required to apply for or get disaster assistance from FEMA or the Disaster Assistance Center
  • Scammers will often “spoof” local phone numbers. Spoofing is when a scammer uses a local number or a number from an actual agency to appear like a legitimate caller.

To Report a Scam

  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to report fraud or contact the Community Protection Division at 303-441-3700

If You Are a Victim of a Scam

  • If the scam occurred through the internet, report the fraud at https://www.ic3.gov/
  • For all other scams, report them to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
  • Contact your local law enforcement agency and let them know you are a victim of a scam
  • Contact the Community Protection Division to learn how to protect yourself against future scams and frauds

Call the DA’s Community Protection questions 303-441-3700

Beware of Marshall Fire Scams

  • Insurance agents/companies reaching out unexpectedly to you and providing too good to be true options
  • Contractors calling to give you a “deal” on fire clean up
  • Charities reaching out to you requesting monetary donations in support of fire departments, law enforcement, or victims
  • Fundraisers or “Go Fund Me” pages that are not endorsed by the people or organizations they are supposed to help

What to Do

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown phone numbers
  • Hang up the phone if you believe the call to be a scam
  • Do not “click” or “tap” on email or text message links if you do not know the sender
  • Contact your insurance provider directly through their legitimate contact information
  • Take the needed time to properly research and vet a contractor before doing business with them
  • Do not give gift card numbers or financial account information to “Charities” over the phone, instead visit https://www.coloradogives.org/bouldercountywildfirefund?step=step1 if you want to donate to the Marshall fire

Use Caution if Someone:

  • Tells you there is a fee to access FEMA or disaster assistance services
  • Tells you that a fee will get you to the front of the disaster assistance list
  • Asks for payment in the form of gift cards, bitcoin, wire transfer, or access to your financial accounts
  • Tells you they are a licensed and bonded contractor without providing proof

Michael Dougherty, District Attorney

BOULDER OFFICE: JUSTICE CENTER · 1777 6TH STREET · BOULDER, COLORADO 80302 · 303.441.3700 LONGMONT OFFICE: 1035 KIMBARK · LONGMONT, COLORADO 80501 · 303.441.3700 WWW.BOULDERCOUNTY.ORG/DISTRICT-ATTORNEY· TDD/V: 303.441.4774