Gold bar scams are becoming prevalent nationwide.  Victims are contacted by individuals who are impersonating government officials or tech support representatives, claiming financial accounts are compromised and needing to be protected by converting money into gold.  These criminals trick the victims into giving up their savings, often by convincing them to convert their cash into gold bars and hand them over to a supposed courier. 

How the scam unfolds:

• Initial contact: Criminals contact victims by phone, email, or text message, often pretending to be from a trusted source like the government, a bank, or a tech company. 

• False urgency and fear: They create a sense of urgency, claiming the victim's financial accounts are compromised or vulnerable to hacking. 

• Conversion to gold: Victims are instructed to withdraw their money and convert it into gold bars. 

• Courier collection: A courier is sent to the victim's home to collect the gold bars, promising they will be stored securely or used for a legitimate purpose, such as protecting the victim's assets. 

• The scam: Instead of protecting the gold, the courier steals the gold bars, and the victim is left with nothing. 

• Initial contact: Criminals contact victims by phone, email, or text message, often pretending to be from a trusted source like the government, a bank, or a tech company. 

Warning signs:

• Unsolicited calls or messages: Be wary of contacts from unknown numbers or parties claiming to be from legitimate entities. 

• Urgency and fear tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency and fear to pressure victims into acting quickly. 

• Requests for cash or gold bars: No legitimate organization will ask you to convert your savings into gold and hand them over to a courier. 

• Promises of security or protection: Scammers often claim they will protect your assets or secure your funds, but this is a false promise. 

What to do if you suspect you've been targeted: 

• Do not hand over your savings: Hang up the phone, stop communicating with the scammers, and do not provide any information. 

• Verify the legitimacy of the contact: Contact the supposed organization directly using a known phone number or email address to confirm the legitimacy of the contact. 

• Report the scam: Contact Cherry Hills Village Police Department 303-761-4711

By working together, being informed and staying vigilant, we can help deter crime and keep our community safe.