Craig Police Department warns of COVID-19 scams

With much of the country and the economy facing troubling times due to the coronavirus, scammers are trying to take advantage of vulnerable people.

The Craig Police Department is warning residents to not fall for scams that have surfaced in recent days following the signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by President Trump.

The CARES act provides payments to individuals, funds unemployment benefits, and provides financial relief for small businesses, in addition to several other provisions. According to the bill, every tax-paying American with a gross income of up to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (married) will receive a check for approximately $1,200 (individual) or $2,400 (married), plus $500 per dependent child.

Officials are expecting distribution to begin in April, mostly for individuals who have direct deposit through the Internal Revenue Service. All other qualified recipients will receive paper checks in the mail. As of this date, the IRS has not specified a distribution date for stimulus funds.

Given the increase in fraud since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are growing concerns about paper check theft, online scams, and fraudulent checks, Craig Police Department Captain Bill Leonard said.

Fraudulent calls asking for personal information in exchange for larger stimulus checks or faster processing are already being reported. Delivery of fraudulent stimulus checks with odd monetary values, or that require verification online, have also been reported. These tactics are similar to those used with previous government stimulus packages that benefited individuals.

Local law enforcement reminds residents of the following:

  • Do not provide bank account information or other financial information such as social security numbers by phone, text or email. Government agencies such as the IRS will not contact you to obtain bank account or other personal information by phone, text or email. If you filed your taxes, they already have the information on where to send your check or direct deposit.
  • Requests for funds to cover fees involved to obtain stimulus funds are scams.
  • Any unsolicited phone calls, emails or mail requesting bank information to return funds is a scam.
  • Any unsolicited checks attached to jobs you did not apply for are scams.
  • Threats of arrest for some type of charges- unless immediate payments are made over the phone are scams.
  • If you believe you have been contacted with a scam, do not follow the instructions outlined by the caller, email or mail and contact local law enforcement. If it sounds suspicious hang up and, do not take any further action prior to contacting law enforcement.
  • Residents should also be warned about theft relating to mail service. Please check and remove mail from mail collection boxes in a timely manner and watch for suspicious activity around the boxes.

Additionally, pleas be aware of an increase in fraudulent charity organizations soliciting funds for COVID-19 relief. If it appears suspicious, check on the validity of the charity.

Three arrests made during weekend: On the Record — Feb. 22 through 24

Craig Police Department

Friday, Feb. 22

2:39 a.m. On 1100 of West Victory Way, officers with the Craig Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. When officers arrived, they found a person was sitting in a jeep listening to music.

11:19 a.m. In Craig, officers received a Safe2Tell report. The police department received three more such reports Friday, and all are under investigation.

11:54 a.m. At Walgreens, officers made contact with a pedestrian and obtained information from the person for the District Attorney’s office.

1:58 p.m. On the 800 block of Green Street, officers provided advice to a person concerned about fraud. The person had received “Express Toll” mail addressed to him, but not for a vehicle he owns.

7:36 p.m. On the 400 block of Rose Street, officers responded to a report of a suspicious person. A woman was walking around a property picking up items. Officers learned she had been evicted from the residence in December. She and her husband were trespassed at the owner’s request.

Saturday, Feb. 23

8:24 a.m. At the Public Safety Center, officers helped a person file a report for possible identity theft.

1:50 p.m. At Northwest Pawnshop, officers arrested a 28-year-old Craig woman on a warrant for failure to appear out of Rio Blanco County.

6:05 p.m. Near the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and old East Victory Way, officers stopped to assist a motorist and discovered the person had pulled over to use a cellphone. Everything was OK.

10:25 p.m. On the 1600 block of Yampa Avenue, officers responded to reports of a disturbance resulting in the arrest of a 29-year-old Craig man, who was apprehended on suspicion of violating a restraining order.

Sunday, Feb. 24

12:20 a.m. In Craig, officers investigated an incident involving drugs. 

1:10 a.m.  Near the intersection of Ledford Street and First Avenue West, officers responded to a crash resulting in property damage. Few details were available in the report, which indicated a black Jeep Cherokee had front wheel damage. The vehicle was towed.

1:33 a.m. On the 300 block of Colorado Street, officers investigated a report of a suspicious person. A caller reported someone running away after attempting to break into a house. The incident is under investigation.   

2:41 a.m. On the 400 block of Barclay Street, officers responded to a report of domestic violence in progress and arrested a 33-year-old Craig man on charges of third-degree assault.

7:17 a.m. Near the intersection West Sixth and Steel streets, officers investigated a report of criminal mischief when a van was discovered to have had both tail lights broken.

9:43 a.m. On the 400 block of Washington Street, officers investigation a report of possible theft.

6:41 p.m. On the 800 block of Russell Street, officers investigated a report of a stolen vehicle. The owner later called back to say the vehicle had been recovered, but the incident remains under investigation.

9:35 p.m. In Craig, officers received a Safe2Tell report. This incident is under investigation.

Craig Daily Press Media Kit 2017

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Description
Craig Daily Press Media Kit 2016

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On Sept. 30, three days after an inspection revealed a litany of critical health violations, The Galaxy was issued this formal notice to close its doors by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

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Oak Creek Town Board agenda for Jan. 24

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Yampa Valley Data Partners regional economic forecast