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Jan Zavislan, 303-866-5632
Janice Friddle, AARP Elderwatch, 720-947-5305

INTERIM ATTORNEY GENERAL SUTHERS AND AARP ELDERWATCH WARN CONSUMERS OF GAS VOUCHER SCAM

Denver - Colorado Interim Attorney General John W. Suthers and AARP ElderWatch today issued an alert warning consumers about a gas voucher scam that is targeting Colorado residents, particularly seniors.

The scam is simple: the telephone rings, the caller tells you about a wonderful free gasoline offer from the U.S. Department of Energy. The caller goes on to explain that, for a small service fee, you are eligible to receive vouchers worth $200 in free gas! Be forewarned: there is no free gas.

These fraudulent telemarketers are using this false story as a device to obtain consumers’ personal and financial information. “Scam artists know how to use stories in the news, such as high gasoline prices, to prey on people worried about those issues. The idea of free gas is enough get most people to listen to these false opportunities when all the scammers want to do is rob you of your hard earned money,” noted AARP ElderWatch Director Janice L. Friddle. If you receive one of these calls, just hang up!

AARP ElderWatch and the Attorney General’s Office warn consumers to:

• Never give out personal information (such as date of birth, social security number, bank account or credit card numbers) over the phone;
• Never respond to “free” offers that require the payment of any kind of fee;
• If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

AARP ElderWatch is a partnership between the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and the AARP Foundation. If you are contacted by this scam please call 1-800-222-4444.