Sweetheart Scams Cause More than Heartache
In today’s fast paced world of instant communication and social media, many adults have turned to online dating sites to find love, especially around Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, not everyone using dating sites is looking for romance; some are looking for money, your money. Thousands of people have been victimized by online romance scams and wind up not only embarrassed but with financial losses.

Why is the IRS calling you?
Most of us would pay attention if we thought we were being contacted by a representative of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We would want to be cooperative, share whatever information is being requested, and respond politely and promptly to whatever inquiries are being made. However, it is important to suspend these instincts until you are sure that the callers are really representing the IRS. Many impersonaters call pretending to be the IRS in order to dupe victims into sending money right away.

Are you really a sweepstakes winner?
Foreign lottery fraud is one of the most malevolent scams targeting older Coloradans today. The scams come from dozens of countries, but many of them originate in Jamaica. It is estimated that more than 90% of lottery scams go unreported because the victims are too embarrassed or ashamed to file a complaint. Any solicitation through the mail, by telephone, or electronically that requires the purchase of any product, or the payment of any fee as a condition to entering or winning a sweepstakes is illegal.

Reporting Fraud Is Important
Every fraud report we receive gives us insights into difficulties that people are experiencing in the marketplace and helps us to identify and prioritize problems for potential action. The result is better outcomes for consumers, businesses, and a better marketplace for Coloradans. If you're uncertain whether fraud has occurred or you're not a victim of fraud but know of something suspicious, we want to hear from you.
Thank you for helping stop fraud by subscribing to the Colorado Attorney General's Office Consumer Fraud Bulletin. This correspondence is being sent to you on behalf of the Colorado Attorney General per your registration to receive the Consumer Fraud Awareness Bulletin along with periodic fraud tips and alerts.
 
Please add our email address to your list of approved email accounts to ensure receipt of future correspondence. Additionally, you may view previous bulletins and other publications here .  

Sincerely,

Stop Fraud Colorado
Consumer Protection Section
Colorado Department of Law
Ralph L. Carr Judicial Building
1300 Broadway, 7th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
P: 800-222-4444
F: 720-508-6040