Fraud

Banking

Ballantine Communications scammed out of more than $276,000

‘Fraudsters are getting better at what they do,’ bank president says

January 17, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Associated Press

Colorado woman found guilty of voter fraud for casting ballots for late ex-husband and son

FILE – A voter places a ballot in a drop box outside the Denver Elections Division headquarters, Nov. 8, 2022,…

October 23, 2025

Fraud

LPEA warns of scam targeting Durango area co-op members

Callers demanding payment through money transfer apps, prepaid debit cards

September 19, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Trump signals for Department of Justice to try and free Tina Peters

‘Tina is an innocent Political Prisoner being horribly and unjustly punished,’ he wrote

May 6, 2025 • Bente Birkeland and Tom Hesse — Colorado Public Radio

Fraud

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office calling? Think twice before paying fee – it could be a scam

Scammer impersonating deputies nearly tricks victims

April 25, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado state government

You better watch out or you may cry – scammers are coming to town

Colorado Attorney General's office has received more than 800 reports of imposter scams

December 21, 2024 • Emma VandenEinde — KUNC

Crime

Former executive of Home Builders Association arrested on suspicion of embezzlement

Rebekah DeLaMare is accused of making $186,000 in unauthorized charges

November 19, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Election

Two arrested in connection with stolen ballots scheme in Grand Junction

suspect was a postal employee, the other a felon

November 7, 2024 • Allison Sherry — Colorado Public Radio

Crime

Scheme to cast votes on stolen mail ballots thwarted by Colorado election officials

was blocked by state’s voter signature verification process

October 25, 2024 • Jesse Paul — The Colorado Sun

Axis Health System

Hackers leak thousands of confidential files from Axis Health System

sensitive information was released after cyber attacks and $1.6 million ransom demand

October 17, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Durango looks to improve laws on fraud, pot and business licenses

Assistant city attorney says proposed ordinances would keep code in line with best practices

September 3, 2024 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

How scammers target your biggest financial asset – your home

estate agent offers tips on how to avoid falling prey to scams

August 19, 2024 • Nell London — Colorado Public Radio

Banking

Durango woman has $24,000 stolen from her in bank hacking

Resident says scammers accessed her bank information through her cellphone

July 5, 2024 • Tyler Brown — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Forensic audit to examine Visit Durango finances

comes as revelations surface about board chairwoman’s past fraud

June 10, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Former Farmington Municipal Schools finance secretary receives 4 years in prison

Padgett guilty of embezzling more than $62k from district

May 30, 2024 • Debra Mayeux — Tri-City Record

Colorado

IRS warns tax filers to be wary of fraud now that 2024 season is underway

Phishing scams, fraudulent preparers are two prominent schemes

February 1, 2024 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Former director of Southwest Colorado nonprofit suspected of embezzlement

Hein allegedly spent more than $21,000 on personal items

January 24, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Durango police follow the (fake) money

Thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit bills making the rounds

January 22, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Business (general)

Colorado Secretary of State discusses new laws protecting small businesses with Durango, county leaders

Griswold goes over protections against scammers, deceptive solicitations

December 1, 2023 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Counterfeit bills make the rounds in Durango

currency looks real, but clearly says ‘For Motion Picture Use Only’

October 23, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Construction and property

Land for sale – but not by owner, as part of a failed scam in La Plata County

Attempted fraudulent property transactions should have owners on high alert

July 27, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Aztec

Shiprock, Aztec men indicted on fraud charges

Bids, forced contracts allegedly defrauded residential campus serving Native Americans

May 10, 2023 • Debra Mayeux — Tri-City Record

Durango Police Department

Durango coffee shop falls victim to telephone scam

Life is out $1,500 after an employee was swindled into wiring money

May 9, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Contests

Mercy billing: Seeing double

Patients report receiving bills that insurance already paid

April 17, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer