E-mail

Foreign scams, and unsolicited commercial e-mail spam forward to:spam@uce.gov.

Emissions

Write or call the Air Program, Department of Revenue if you have any questions concerning emissions.

Colorado Motor Vehicle Emissions Program
Department of Revenue
Motor Vehicle Business Group
1881 Pierce Street, Room 128
Lakewood, CO 80214
303-205-5603

For more information, refer to the Federal Trade Commission's Web site or refer to the statute by accessing the State of Colorado's Web site, selecting the link "Legislature", and then "Colorado Revised Statutes.

1. The right to have only a registered audiologist perform the exam.
2. The right to go to a registered dealer.
3. The right to obtain a thirty-day trial period (which can be extended by mutual agreement of the buyer and seller).
4. The right to obtain a receipt that:
• bears the business address of the dealer,
• includes the make and serial number of the hearing aid being purchased,
• provides notice if the hearing aid is used or reconditioned,
• gives written notice that the dealer's practice must not be regarded as medical opinion,
• includes warranty terms,
• shows your right to cancel the purchase for any reason before the end of the 30-day rescission period and the right of the merchant to retain a portion of money that would cover the minimum costs of materials, manufacturer fee return, but no more than 5%.
5. Notice that the contract is void and unenforceable if the aid is not delivered within 30 days after the date the contract was written.

For complaints other than those mentioned above, contact the following agencies.

Attorney General
State Services Building
1525 Sherman Street, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-5230

and/or

Audiology and Hearing Aid Provider Registration Office
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7800

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the act of using, producing or acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information in order to impersonate them and commit crimes in that person's name. The crimes may include creating an identification document or false identification document to obtain credit or make purchases in someone else's name.
 
Someone who commits identity theft will attempt to obtain some of the following pieces of personal information from someone else:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Social security information
• Driver's license number
• Credit card numbers
• Bank account numbers
• Bank card numbers and PIN
• Telephone calling card number and PIN
• Birth certificates
• Passport

The above information enables the identity thief to:

• Open credit card accounts in someone else's name
• Make purchases using someone else's accounts
• Withdraw money from someone's bank accounts
• Print and write bogus checks on someone else's checking account or open a new account in someone else's name
• Apply for a change of address card with the post office to have financial paperwork diverted to another address so the identity thief can deplete accounts of funds
• Apply for loans in someone else's name
• Obtain someone else's Social Security or pension benefits;
• Rent apartments
• Purchase vehicles
• Establish service with utility and cellular phone companies

People can gain access to your information by:

• Posing as a loan officer and ordering your credit report (which lists account numbers)
• Peeking over your should at the ATM or phone booth to obtain your account number, PIN or other personal information
• "Dumpster Diving" in trash bins for unshredded credit applications, cancelled checks, credit card receipts, bank records, etc.
• Creating false IDs
• Stealing a pre-approved credit application from a mailbox and using it to obtain credit card in someone else's name

Prevent identity theft from occurring:

• Obtain a locked mailbox.
• Contacting one of the credit bureaus and have your name removed from their direct mailing/sales lists. You may also want to contact the Mail Preference service and have your name removed from their mailing lists as well (see the section on Mail in this Web site).
• Don't discard old checks without shredding them. Checks contain your name, address, date-of-birth, telephone number, bank account number and bank routing number. Tendered checks may also have your driver's license number and expiration date recorded on them. Anyone can purchase a check writing computer program and write checks in your name.
• When making purchases by check, ask the cashier to shield your driver's license number from the other customer's in line while s/he is recording that information. Some Web sites contain the background for state driver's licenses. The background can be fraudulently downloaded and a new driver's license can be created in your name, especially if someone illegally obtained your driver's license.
• Don't provide account numbers to telemarketers over the telephone. Fraudulent telemarketers exist and prey on the unsuspecting. Telemarketers may call and inform you that your bank has placed your accounts on the Internet and the accounts and the money in them are now insecure. The caller may encourage you to protect your assets by enrolling in the protection service. Not only will you need to send a certified check you will also need to provide the representative with your bank account information. Please be aware that no bank would ever ask you to give your bank account or PIN over the phone unless you call them for assistance.
• Don't provide partial account numbers to telemarketers over the telephone. A fraudulent telemarketer may call and offer you a credit protection package. You are asked to give the caller the last several digits of your credit card account and the name of the card (example, Visa). The caller tells you not to give him/her the first several digits for security purposes. The telemarketer then asks for the address of the bank and possibly the bank name. Each bank is assigned a bank code and each credit card type is assigned a different code. The codes will appear at the beginning of the credit card number. The telemarketer then calls the bank and obtains the bank number. The scam artists now have your credit card number and can then make telephone and Internet purchases in your name.
• Shred all documents before discarding them. Ask lenders to do the same. A garbage picker looks for unshredded credit account information. The garbage picker can obtain all the information s/he needs to make purchases in your name through your own trashcan.
• Do not carry your social security number in your wallet.
• Don't give any information over the phone. Always ask to be sent a form and double check who wants the information and for what purpose the information will be used.

If you are the victim of identity theft follow the procedures listed below to remedy the situation:

• Notify your bank and credit card companies that identify theft occurred.
  Contact the Social Security Administration if you believe someone gained access to your social security number. See Social Security in this Web site for further information.
• Contact the local police or sheriff's department to report the theft.
• Contact the three credit reporting agencies and ask that a fraud alert be placed on your account (the numbers are listed under Credit Reports in this Web site).
• Wait a few weeks and order a free copy of your credit report to determine if unauthorized accounts were opened in your name. If they were, dispute the accounts with the lender.

Insurance

Complaints against insurance companies/salespeople should be brought to the attention of the State Division of Insurance. 

To determine if an insurance company is licensed call the State Division of Insurance or email insurance@dora.state.co.us.

State Division of Insurance
1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7499 or 800-930-3745
FAX: 303-894-7455
Consumer Information: 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745

Colorado Revised Statute 38-12-103 regulates the return of security deposits. Refer to the statute by accessing the State of Colorado's Web site, selecting the link "Legislature", and then "Colorado Revised Statutes". The statute requires that the landlord return the security deposit within one month after the lease has been terminated or the surrender of the premises, whichever occurs last, unless a longer time has been specified in the lease (not longer than 60 days). The landlord may retain part of the security deposit for damages, however s/he may not retain any of the deposit for normal wear and tear.

If a landlord believes there is cause to retain part of the deposit a written notice must be given to the tenant listing the exact reasons for the retention of the deposit or the portion. The landlord must send the notice and return the portion of the deposit that will not be retained to the tenant's last known address.

If the landlord fails to provide the notice during the specified time outlined above, the landlord forfeits his right to retain any portion of the deposit. If the landlord unlawfully retains any portion of the security the deposit, the tenant may have the right to sue for triple damages in Small Claims Court.

State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs has an Occupational and Professional Licensing Database. You can access the database through their Web site.

Additionally, certain cities require additional licenses. For example, some cities require a contractor to obtain a license before stating a job. Call the city where you reside to determine if a license is required before you sign a contract and give the contractor a deposit.

 Mail

For questions concerning mail fraud contact:

Postal Inspection Service
1745 Stout #900
Denver, CO 80202-3034
303-313-5320

To get off mailing lists send a letter to the

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

Mediation

Jefferson County has a

Links to Additional Information:

Tips For Handling Complaints Effectively

Outside Agencies

Mediation Referral Form

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