Crime & Scam Prevention

Scam Prevention

Greenwood Village community members have been targeted through a variety of scams, resulting in significant loss of money and emotional distress. Greenwood Village Police want to make you aware of the types of scams that you may encounter and how to protect yourself. 

Anyone who demands payment in gift cards, such as Google Play or iTunes, or cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, and wants you to pay them immediately should be indications that someone is likely scamming you. Government agencies, whether they are federal, state or local, will never make such calls, wouldn’t make threats and wouldn’t ask for such payments. 

Keep this in mind if you receive a suspicious call:

  • No legitimate law enforcement agency will ever ask you or pressure you for money, gift cards, use payment apps or ask you to go to a bank or ATM to take out cash. 
  • No officers will call and threaten you with arrest, so just hang up on the scammer. 
  • Scammers can easily find the names of real police employees online and claim to be those individuals over the phone, and make their phone number appear on caller ID to be the same as the police department's — this is called spoofing.
  • After you hang up, call Greenwood Village Police at 303-773-2525 to file a report.

What is spoofing?

Spoofing is part of a broader, national trend in which a legitimate phone number — such as one belonging to the Greenwood Village Police — appears on the victim’s caller ID. The Greenwood Village Police Department and its officers will never use one of its numbers to solicit money or make demands. We advise anyone receiving such a call to hang up. Then, call the police department to ask if someone called you. If not, please file a report. We also ask the community to always be wary of anyone who calls and threatens imprisonment or deportment and asks for immediate payment in gift cards or crypto-currency. 

A scammer's goal is to get to your money. To do so, they'll pretend to be legitimate agencies or companies you do business with, such as your bank or even the IRS. 

If you ever have a doubt, just hang up. Scammers will try to keep you on the line, but just hang up. Then, on your own, look up the number of the company or agency through an independent source, such as the official website, and call that number. Verify whether or not they tried to contact you. 

If you think you have been scammed, please report it to Greenwood Village Police at 303-773-2525. 

Burglary Prevention

Follow these tips to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a burglary, criminal trespass, or theft:

  • Leave a front and back porch light on during evening hours. 
  • Ensure all doors and windows are shut and locked during the evening or when you're away from the home. 
  • Leave at least one light on inside of the home during the evening hours or if you're away from the home for an extended period. 
  • If your home is equipped with an alarm, set it at nighttime or when you're gone for an extended period and notify your alarm company of the time frame in which you will not be home. Also, ensure it functions properly by testing it regularly with your contracted service provider. 
  • Have a trusted neighbor or family member pick up newspapers or package deliveries daily if you plan to be out of town. 
  • Ensure vehicles that are left outside of the garage are locked and valuables or belongings are removed, including removing or securing the garage door opener from public view. 

Going on Vacation? Request a Vacation House Watch or call 303-773-2525.

Auto Security

Car theft and burglary is often a crime of opportunity. Follow these tips to help keep your car safe from would-be criminals:

Always lock up:

  • Close your windows, lock your car and take your keys with you every time you leave your vehicle, whether at home or away.
  • Lock valuables in your car or take them with you. Do not leave items such as laptops, cell phones, purses or wallets in plain view.
  • Don’t leave your vehicle running in your garage or anywhere unattended.

While driving:

  • Keep your doors locked.
  • Stick with the traffic; avoid lightly traveled streets, especially after dark.
  • When stopping in traffic, always leave enough room to make a quick getaway.
  • If someone is threatening you with a weapon, give up the vehicle, it is not worth your life.

Park carefully:

  • Park in well-lit, busy areas.
  • Be alert to your surroundings and of people approaching your vehicle.
  • Have your car keys in your hand when approaching your vehicle.

Identity Theft Prevention

Criminals acquire identifying personal information in order to access banking accounts and commit fraud in the name of unsuspecting individuals. Protect yourself from these types of crimes by following these tips:

  • Use caution when disclosing banking account numbers, credit card numbers, or other personal financial data at any website or online service location unless you receive a secure authentication key from the provider.
  • Keep your passwords and personal account information secure through password protection tools.
  • Contact your bank immediately if you believe you have been a victim of identity theft.

Trust your gut, if something feels wrong, it probably is!

Mail Theft Prevention

If you believe you have been victimized in a mail fraud scheme that involves the United States mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the United States Postal Inspection Service. Follow these tips to help prevent mail theft:

  • Never put outbound mail into an unsecured mailbox, especially if it contains checks or sensitive personal information. Instead, take it to a United States Post Office (USPO) or place it in a USPO mail collection box.
  • Remove mail from your mailbox promptly.
  • Do not have mail delivered while you are out of town. Have the post office hold your mail until you return.
  • Make sure you are informed when sensitive mail has been sent to you, and follow up quickly if it does not arrive as expected.