We saw the following post on Facebook from the Jefferson County Sheriff's page.
While this happened in Evergreen, Colorado, we want to remind you to always be suspicious of anyone asking for gift cards as payment for a utility bill. Our local utilities will NOT ask for this sort of payment.
Alert Employee at Evergreen Safeway Prevents $1,200 Scam!
On February 10th, Brent, a vigilant manager at Safeway in Evergreen, stepped up and protected a community member from a costly scam.
Brent noticed an elderly woman attempting to purchase $1,200 worth of retail gift cards and took the time to ask questions. After learning she was being pressured by a utility scammer, he quickly educated her and prevented the fraud before it was too late!
Gift card scams are on the rise! Here are some tips to stay safe:
No legitimate company or government agency will demand payment in gift cards.
If someone asks you to buy gift cards and give them the codes, it’s a scam.
Scammers often pose as tech support, IRS agents, law enforcement, or even family members in distress.
If you’re ever unsure, stop and ask a trusted friend, family member, or store employee for help.
Thanks to Brent’s awareness and quick action, this scammer was stopped in their tracks! Let’s all stay alert and look out for one another.
If you or someone you know encounters a potential scam, report it to local law enforcement. We have more information on our website: https://www.jeffco.us/985/Scams
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