Scammers Try To Cash In On Vandalized Fallen Officers Memorial

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police are warning of a new scam that strikes close to home for the department because it tries to cash in on the recent vandalism to the memorial for fallen officers.

Last month a group of anti-police protesters marched in front of department headquarters and poured red paint on the memorial, which created a wave of support for Denver police.

"It was evident that everybody cared about the memorial," Denver Police Department spokeswoman Christine Downs said.

Now police believe someone is using the memorial to try to scam the public.

"It's sad that someone would use this as an opportunity to monopolize on somebody unsuspectingly," Downs said.

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Downs says they only know of one victim. That person suspected something wasn't right, so they didn't hand over their money and called police.

Denver police warned of the scam on its Facebook page and users sounded off. Some called the scammers "the lowest of the low," and saying the act is "disgusting and heartbreaking."

"If you do receive those calls hang up, it's not real and please don't give your credit card information or any sort of financial information or personal information to someone calling you," Downs said.

The scammer is apparently asking for money to help repair the memorial, but Downs says it was never damaged. It was defaced but quickly cleaned.

"The Denver Police Department is not going to call you and ask for money, and neither would any of our foundations," Downs said. "If you feel like it's suspicious, it probably is."

The Better Business Bureau says one of the things people should be on the lookout for with scams is someone trying to play on emotions. They say before handing over money, check the BBB website directly to see if they are who they say they are.

LINK: BBB