Stage 1 fire restrictions in western Boulder County. Fire restrictions rescinded in eastern Boulder County.

Emergency Status
Jan 06

Marshall fire scams

The 20th Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office, Community Protection Division

What to Know

  • Scammers thrive in situations when people are stressed and take advantage of these situations
  • Know that government disaster assistance agencies do not ask for financial account information
  • There is NO FEE required to apply for or get disaster assistance from FEMA or the Disaster Assistance Center
  • Scammers will often “spoof” local phone numbers. Spoofing is when a scammer uses a local number or a number from an actual agency to appear like a legitimate caller.

To Report a Scam

  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to report fraud or contact the Community Protection Division at 303-441-3700

If You Are a Victim of a Scam

  • If the scam occurred through the internet, report the fraud at https://www.ic3.gov/
  • For all other scams, report them to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
  • Contact your local law enforcement agency and let them know you are a victim of a scam
  • Contact the Community Protection Division to learn how to protect yourself against future scams and frauds

Call the DAs Community Protection questions 303-441-3700

Beware of Marshall Fire Scams

  • Insurance agents/companies reaching out unexpectedly to you and providing too good to be true options
  • Contractors calling to give you a dealon fire clean up
  • Charities reaching out to you requesting monetary donations in support of fire departments, law enforcement, or victims
  • Fundraisers or Go Fund Mepages that are not endorsed by the people or organizations they are supposed to help

What to Do

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown phone numbers
  • Hang up the phone if you believe the call to be a scam
  • Do not “click” or “tap” on email or text message links if you do not know the sender
  • Contact your insurance provider directly through their legitimate contact information
  • Take the needed time to properly research and vet a contractor before doing business with them
  • Do not give gift card numbers or financial account information to “Charities” over the phone, instead visit https://www.coloradogives.org/bouldercountywildfirefund?step=step1 if you want to donate to the Marshall fire

Use Caution if Someone:

  • Tells you there is a fee to access FEMA or disaster assistance services
  • Tells you that a fee will get you to the front of the disaster assistance list
  • Asks for payment in the form of gift cards, bitcoin, wire transfer, or access to your financial accounts
  • Tells you they are a licensed and bonded contractor without providing proof

Michael Dougherty, District Attorney

BOULDER OFFICE: JUSTICE CENTER · 1777 6TH STREET · BOULDER, COLORADO 80302 · 303.441.3700 LONGMONT OFFICE: 1035 KIMBARK · LONGMONT, COLORADO 80501 · 303.441.3700 WWW.BOULDERCOUNTY.ORG/DISTRICT-ATTORNEY· TDD/V: 303.441.4774