'Email From The Boss' Scam Spreading In Broomfield: Police

BROOMFIELD, CO – If you get an email from your boss that asks you to buy gift cards, think twice, the Broomfield police said. Perhaps because Broomfield is the corporate headquarters of so many companies, the scam has been popping up around the city.

Police described how the scam works in an announcement on Facebook:

A victim receives an email from someone pretending to be their boss. It usually contains the name of a legitimate boss in the victim’s company and/or business. In the bogus emails the ‘boss’ asks the victim to buy gift cards for a seemingly legitimate purpose (gifts to clients, work expenses, etc).

The ‘boss’ then instructs the victim to scratch off the sticker on the back to reveal the PIN along with the full gift card account number. Sometimes the scammer will also ask the victim to send a picture of the gift cards. They are then immediately redeemed outside of the United States. If the first attempt is successful, the scammers often follow up with the victim asking for more gift cards.

Police warned employees to be aware of any email that seemed "weird or fishy," and recommended double-checking with a supervisor. "Remember if the scammer is pressing you for time it’s because they want you to act before you think," police said in the press release.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, contact local police. You can also contact the Colorado Attorney General's Stop Fraud Colorado site.

For a list of other common scams, check out the AG's warning page here.

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