The Colorado Judicial Department has received reports of telephone scams involving fake debt-collection agencies who threaten people with arrest warrants operating in at least three judicial districts in the state.
Consumers who receive calls regarding debt collection related to court cases always have the option of contacting the clerk's office in the appropriate court to try to verify the call, or contacting law enforcement to investigate. Contact information for court clerks' offices may be found on the Judicial Branch website by clicking on the appropriate judicial district at http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/District/Choose.cfm.
Consumers who receive threatening debt-collection calls are advised not to provide the caller with any financial information (for example, bank account or credit card numbers) or personal information (such as name, address, Social Security number) and not to send money or make payment authorization over the phone.
Even if the caller has information about the court case or personal information, do not respond with payment information. Instead, contact the court to verify that a payment needs to be made.
Complaints regarding threatening debt-collection calls may be filed with the Colorado Attorney General's Office by visiting https://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/cab_consumer_complaint_form. Complaints also may be filed directly with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov and the FBI Internet Crimes Unit at htwww.ic3.gov.
