A Weld County resident is out $1,200 after being duped by callers posing as sheriff's deputies, prompting a Thursday warning from the sheriff's office. The scammers claimed the victim was facing a "class B infraction" and a failure to appear, then turned up the pressure until the person paid through Apple Pay. Investigators say the scammers may have spoofed the sheriff's office phone number so it appeared legitimate on caller ID, and they are urging residents to treat any demand for immediate payment with serious suspicion.
What the sheriff's office posted
In a Facebook post, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said two male callers reached a resident from a no-caller-ID number. One introduced himself as "Brandon Halloway," rattled off a badge number, and spoke with a southern accent, according to the post. The second man did not give a name or badge number at all. Following their instructions, the victim sent $1,200 via Apple Pay before realizing the entire call was a scam.
Spoofing and payment red flags
Authorities say scammers routinely "spoof" official phone numbers so their calls look like they are coming from real government offices, then push victims into paying with methods that are hard to track or reverse. That pattern matches guidance from other Colorado sheriff's offices and federal agencies, which flag gift cards, prepaid cards, money-transfer apps such as Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay, as well as cryptocurrency, Western Union, and traditional bank wire transfers as major warning signs.
The Larimer County Scambusters newsletter stresses that people should never pay over the phone, especially when a caller is using threats to force a quick decision. The FBI also notes that government agencies do not demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
How to protect yourself
If a caller claims to be from law enforcement and threatens arrest or legal trouble unless you pay right away, authorities say your best move is simple: hang up. Then, independently verify the claim by calling the agency directly using a number listed on its official website. For the Weld County Sheriff's Office, the non-emergency line is (970) 350-9600, and residents should dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Officials advise that you do not give out your Social Security number, bank account information, or remote access to your devices, and that you never pay anyone who insists you must act immediately. If you already sent money, contact your bank or payment app as soon as possible, then file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3 and report the fraud to the FTC.
