News Release: Phone Scams Claiming to be City Sales Tax Office

The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating a rash of scam phone calls in which the caller informs unsuspecting citizens that they failed to pay their taxes and will be arrested for tax evasion unless they make a payment immediately.

This caller and the caller ID claim to be from the, “City Sales Tax Office.”  

The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department wants the campus community and its students to be on the lookout for this kind of call ahead of time.

If you receive any phone call regarding unpaid taxes that threatens arrest and or requests or accepts payments by phone, please call the CU Police Department at 303-492-8168 immediately to report this crime. This crime constitutes Criminal Extortion, a Class 4 felony.

Additionally, please also be aware of other popular scams this time of year including, “Work from Home/Dorm,” craigslist postings promising a large amount of money weekly in exchange for administration work. Another scam has a friend or relative being in custody and sending bail money. Always be concerned when you are being pressured to make a decision quickly that requires sending money by a cash service.

If you have questions about a potential scam or think you are a victim of fraud, please reach out to the CU Police Department.