The Salida Police Department has issued a community alert about a surge in scams targeting local residents.
Officials emphasize that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call and request payment over the phone, whether for fines, warrants, or donations. Any such call is a scam.
Residents are also reporting fraudulent text messages and emails claiming they owe money for unpaid CDOT tolls or parking citations. After replying, victims are often instructed to purchase gift cards to pay the supposed fine. If anyone asks you to pay with a gift card, it is always a scam.
Utility-related scams are also on the rise. If someone calls claiming to be from a company such as Xcel Energy and threatens to shut off service unless you make an immediate payment, hang up. Contact the utility directly using the number on your bill if you have concerns.
Scammers are additionally impersonating City of Salida employees and local title companies, sending realistic-looking emails that attempt to trick recipients into wiring money. The police remind residents that official City of Salida emails always end with @cityofsalida.com or @salidapolice.com. Messages from any other address should not be trusted.
If you encounter any suspicious communication or want to verify a situation, call the Salida Police Department at 719-539-2596 and ask to speak with an officer. Taking a moment to confirm could save you thousands of dollars.
