Colorado sheriff's office launches fraud awareness training program

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office launched a volunteer fraud awareness training program led by victim advocate Stephen Conley, beginning with sessions for seniors; the office cited FBI data showing Colorado residents lost more than $243 million to scammers in 2024.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office has launched a volunteer-led fraud awareness training program aimed at reducing the number of scam victims. The program is led by victim advocate Stephen Conley and began with a session at The Pearl on Boulder Creek attended by senior residents. Conley shared personal family experiences with fraud and said scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt action. The sheriff's office cited FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data noting significant losses by Colorado residents in 2024. Key details: - The program is a volunteer effort organized by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office and led by Stephen Conley. - Initial outreach focused on senior centers because the office reported seniors lose the most money to scams. - The sheriff's office cited FBI data that Colorado residents lost more than $243 million to scammers in 2024 and that the state ranks seventh per capita for fraud complaints. - The program offers free sessions for senior centers, community groups, businesses and other local organizations, and the office provided a contact for program inquiries. Summary: The training is intended to raise awareness about common scam tactics and to reduce victimization by encouraging people to pause and seek help. The office plans to continue offering free sessions to community groups and seniors, with outreach and scheduling handled through the sheriff's office contact for the program.