New phone scam impersonates El Paso County deputies, warns sheriff’s office

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is warning citizens of a new phone scam that pretends to be one of its deputies. The scammers' goal is to get money and they threaten citizens with arrest if they don't pay to get out of a non-existent warrant.

Scammers are using new technology called a "Spoof App" that allows their call to appear to come from a legitimate sheriff's office phone number.

"These criminals will often ask you to pay in a way that makes it difficult for you to get your money returned by asking you to wire money, transfer money to an account, or asking you to load money onto a gift card/prepaid card. Anyone who asks you to pay this way is attempting to scam you," said the sheriff's office in a statement Sunday.

The sheriff's office is now reminding the community to never provide personal or financial information over the phone. It will never ask individuals to make payments to remedy fines or warrants over the phone.

If you feel you have been the victim of this type of scam, or if you have information, you are encouraged to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at 719-390-5555, or the local law enforcement agency in which you reside.