Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection and Outreach

Predators, those who perpetrate frauds against others for their own personal gain, do so because it is easy, highly profitable and very low-risk.  Unfortunately, scams that have been around for years are becoming more complex. Such con games leave too many victims, especially elders, depleted of their life savings and self-respect.

Stand Up Against Fraud is a consumer fraud prevention program.  Presentations are free to any group or organization and provides citizens with information to better protect them from fraud, identity theft and scams. Topics include telemarketing and sweepstakes scams, caregiver exploitation, cybercrimes, health care fraud and ID theft. Seminar participants learn how to recognize behaviors associated with con artists, and simple but effective ways to protect themselves.

Scam Spotter, available to your inbox each month, contains tips about staying scam free and reports on current scams and fraud activity in our community.

For current and past ScamSpotter newsletters click here.

Sign up here to receive Scam Spotter in your inbox.

At-Risk Adults Outreach and Prevention

An at-risk- adult is defined as anyone over the age of 70 and those over 18 that have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Along with Denver Police Department, City Attorney’s Office and Adult Protective Services, the Denver District Attorney's Office oversees the Denver Forensic Collaborative for At-Risk Adults; this multi-disciplinary team staffs at-risk cases to provide a safety net to victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation of at-risk adults. The program provides outreach and training surrounding these issues.

For more information on the Denver District Attorney’s consumer protection and prevention outreach programs, or to schedule a speaker, contact Maro Casparian at 720-913-9036, or by email at amc@denverda.org, or email info@denverda.org.

Consumer Protection Complaints

Consumer Complaints. Is It Criminal?

The ability of a District Attorney’s Office to help consumers with their complaints is often limited.  District Attorneys do not have jurisdiction over most consumer complaints.  Most problems involving persons or entities who sell or offer goods and services do not constitute criminal activity or are otherwise regulated or governed by civil statutes and local, state, or federal agencies established to assist persons who believe they have been unfairly or wrongfully treated. Additionally, some wrongful consumer-related acts are criminal acts but fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Making a Consumer Complaint

There are acts against a consumer that do constitute criminal misconduct for which the Denver District Attorney’s Economic Crime Unit can pursue criminal charges. The Unit investigates and prosecutes organized criminal activity, complex financial crimes, identity theft, criminal impersonation, theft, forgery, credit and debit card fraud, securities fraud, computer crime, and the financial exploitation of the elderly and other at-risk adults.  The Unit also prosecutes embezzlement, public corruption, and election fraud.

The Denver District Attorney’s Office maintains a fraud hotline through which a variety of consumer complaints and fraud inquiries are received.  While DA staff cannot give legal advice, they can try to assist in determining if a complaint is civil or criminal, or are subject to federal authority, and refer the citizen to the appropriate consumer or law enforcement agency.

If you believe you have been scammed, conned, or exploited, call

DA’s Fraud Hotline at 720-913-9179