Larimer County Sheriff Warns Residents of Property, Rental and Account Scams
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public warning November 13 about four types of fraud schemes targeting county residents, highlighting growing concerns about property crimes and financial exploitation in Northern Colorado.
The alert identified land sale scams involving fraudulent property owners, rental listing scams requesting deposits before property viewings, computer pop-up scams claiming compromised personal information, and bank account scams pressuring victims to transfer funds to supposedly secure accounts.
Residents can access detailed information about identifying and avoiding these schemes on the Sheriff's Office website.
State Law Addresses Property and Rental Fraud
Colorado statutes criminalize multiple forms of property and rental fraud under several provisions. Criminal impersonation, forgery, identity theft and fraud in effecting sales all carry penalties when applied to real estate transactions, according to Colorado Revised Statutes.
The state's wire fraud statute specifically covers fraudulent use of electronic communications in property and rental scams. Civil remedies exist under Colorado's fraudulent conveyance statutes and the Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits deceptive trade practices including false advertising and misrepresentation in real estate listings.
Criminal fraud cases require proof of intent to defraud and are prosecuted by district attorneys, with penalties including restitution, imprisonment and fines. Civil liability involves monetary damages and equitable relief such as contract cancellation or quiet title actions.
Larimer County Offers Free Property Monitoring
Larimer County provides a free Recording Activity Notification service that alerts property owners to any document activity recorded in their name, according to the County Clerk and Recorder's office. The system helps residents detect fraudulent property transfers or encumbrances quickly.
Residents can verify legitimate property ownership through Larimer County Assessor and Recorder records before engaging in any real estate transaction.
Fraud Incidents Cost Colorado Residents Millions Annually
Colorado reported over 5,800 fraud complaints statewide in 2023 with losses exceeding $46 million, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Northern Colorado accounts for an estimated 10 to 15 percent of state incidents proportionate to population.
Local agencies in Larimer and Weld counties respond to hundreds of fraud reports annually across property, rental, computer and financial scams, with individual losses ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars per incident.
Computer and transfer scams increased nearly 20 percent statewide from 2019 to 2024, while property and rental fraud remained relatively stable due to improved awareness and reporting mechanisms.
Victims Have Multiple Reporting and Recovery Options
Victims can file fraud reports with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office in person or online. Criminal cases meeting prosecution criteria are referred to the District Attorney's office, while the Colorado Attorney General accepts reports of fraud that cross county or state lines.
Courts often order restitution to victims for actual losses in criminal cases. Colorado's Office for Victims Programs supports recovery of out-of-pocket losses including counseling and recovery assistance under the state Victim Rights Act.
Victims may also pursue civil lawsuits for damages and property recovery.
Prevention Requires Verification and Caution
The Colorado Attorney General's office recommends residents always inspect rental properties in person before making payments, verify landlord identity through county records, and avoid wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments for deposits.
For property transactions, officials advise using legitimate title companies, ensuring certified funds for payment, and being wary of unsolicited offers or rushed transactions requiring wire payments.
Computer scam prevention includes avoiding suspicious pop-ups, using anti-virus software, and never calling phone numbers displayed in pop-up warnings. Bank account scam prevention requires confirming all wire instructions via voice contact rather than email and using multi-factor authentication.
The Sheriff's Office provides fraud awareness information and reporting tools through its website at larimer.gov/sheriff. Weld County residents can report fraud through the Sheriff's Office or Human Services at 970-346-7676 for cases involving elder financial exploitation.