Seasons Greetings from your Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention team,

Last month we talked a bit about Holiday safety tips.  Not to put a damper on your holiday season but we don’t want you victimized and have it turn into a devastating event.  With that in mind we would like to make you aware of some holiday scams. 

Mail thefts:  During the holiday season mail thefts are always on the increase due to gift cards, checks and money sent in holiday cards.  Check your mail as soon as possible after the mail person makes their delivery.  Please call the Sheriff’s Office if you see any suspicious people around any mail box rows.  The Sheriff’s Office would rather find out it’s a non criminal matter, than miss the bad guy stealing mail.  If you are expecting a package delivery, have a trusted neighbor watch for the package at your mail box or doorstep and ask them to collect it for you (or) have the delivery require a signature for the package to insure you are personally contacted.

Social networks:  With the growing popularity of social networks, where people list information about themselves and sign up to “follow” or “friend” each other has created a new wealth of tricks to be on the lookout for.  In particular there are three types of scams to watch for.  First, thousands of people set themselves up as “ordinary” users of Twitter and other networks, often posting genuine messages about happenings of the day.  They want you to “follow” them.  After which they will bombard you with stacks of messages promoting whatever they are selling.  This activity is not illegal.  What is illegal is the promotion of products that don’t exist.  The messages point to sites posing as stores that only aim to steal your money or credit card details for ID theft.  Second, internet holiday bargains on electronics that you buy and never receive.  Third, people sharing information on networks about their holiday vacation plans set them up for a burglary while they are gone.

Charity collections:  Don’t respond to phone or doorstep solicitations.  Contact the charity directly and donate that way.  Even if it is a well known charity calling on the phone the address they give you may not be legitimate or the posers could use your credit card information for ID theft.

Scams in general:  Scams are only limited to the imagination of the scammer.  Holiday season or not the criminal; bad at heart, lazy or desperate during this economy, are out there. The best rule of thumb is if you don’t know who an Email is from, just delete it.  If you are being solicited by phone or in person you are not interested.  And, if it sounds too good to be true –it is and don’t fall for it. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will continue to remind you and keep you aware of scams and criminal activity.  Your Crime Prevention team is available to give presentations regarding ID Theft, Robbery Prevention, Personal Safety, Home or Business Safety and Security or any Crime Prevention issues to any group or organization. We wish you and yours a safe and victimless holiday season. 

In Partnership,

Dale Wizieck, Mountain Precinct  720 497 7860

Jim Brendle, North Precinct 303 271 5363

Gordon Neuenfeldt South Precinct 720 377 2002