GJPD issues warning of fradulent emergency scam calls
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Thursday, the Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD) alerted the public to various scams involving fraudulent phone calls and emails. These scams are designed to deceive individuals into sending money.
For example, in one scam, the scam caller falsely claims that an individual's loved one has been involved in a car crash or has been arrested. They demand immediate payment to cover medical expenses or bail. Presenting as government agencies, another scam involves scammers conducting an audit and demanding that an individual pay in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
Last month, a Clifton man was scammed out of over $130,000 by a scammer pretending to be a government official from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The scammer threatened to arrest the man, alleging that he owed the FTC money.
GJDP notes that these scams are alarming as the scammer knows the name of the victim's family member or other personal information to sound convincing.
GJPD urges the community to take the following steps if they receive a suspicious call or email:
Remain calm and resist the urge to respond.
Verify the claim.
Do not send money or provide financial information.
Avoid sharing additional personal information.
Report the incident to local law enforcement.
Warn others who may be more vulnerable to scams.
While acknowledging that these scams can be terrifying, GJPD reminds individuals to take a moment to assess the situation, verify the information and contact law enforcement immediately.
Those who believe that they have been targeted or victimized by a scam are encouraged to contact non-emergency dispatch at 970-242-6707.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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