Report Deceptive Ads & Fraud - Fort Collins City Law

Business and Consumer Protection Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado residents who encounter deceptive advertising or consumer fraud have options for reporting and seeking enforcement. Start by preserving evidence—screenshots, receipts, messages—and consider contacting the seller for resolution. For criminal fraud or scams that involve theft, contact local police to file a report; you can begin that process online or by phone Fort Collins Police reporting[1]. For patterns of deceptive trade practices or statewide remedies, the Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Protection unit accepts complaints and provides guidance Colorado Department of Law - Consumer Protection[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Primary enforcement for criminal fraud in Fort Collins is by the Fort Collins Police Department and Larimer County prosecutors; civil consumer protection enforcement for deceptive trade practices is handled at the state level by the Colorado Department of Law. The applicable city or state ordinances and statutes should be consulted for legal details; the municipal code is hosted by the city via the official code publisher Fort Collins Municipal Code[3].

Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page. Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page. Non-monetary sanctions may include enforcement orders, restitution, property seizure under court order, and criminal charges where fraud or theft is alleged. The enforcers are:

  • Fort Collins Police Department for criminal investigations and local reports.
  • Larimer County District Attorney for prosecution of criminal fraud.
  • Colorado Department of Law - Consumer Protection for civil investigations and statewide enforcement.
Keep copies of all communications and timestamps when you first saw the ad.

Appeals, Reviews, and Time Limits

  • Criminal charges are prosecuted in court; appeals follow state court procedures and timelines set by Colorado law.
  • Civil enforcement decisions by the Attorney General can result in court filings; specific appeal windows are not specified on the cited page.

Common Violations

  • False price or savings claims.
  • Fake endorsements or fabricated reviews.
  • Undisclosed material terms in promotions or contests.
  • Fraudulent schemes soliciting payment or personal information.

Applications & Forms

The city does not publish a dedicated municipal "deceptive advertising" form; criminal reports use standard police incident or online reporting forms and consumer complaints to the Colorado Department of Law use the AG’s online complaint form. Fees: none for filing a police report or submitting a consumer complaint. Deadlines: no specific statutory consumer-complaint deadline is shown on the cited pages.

If money was lost, file a police report promptly and preserve proof of loss.

Action Steps

  • Preserve evidence: screenshots, URLs, receipts, dates, and communications.
  • Contact the seller or platform to request a refund or correction.
  • File a police report for fraud or theft with Fort Collins Police.[1]
  • Submit a consumer complaint to the Colorado Department of Law for deceptive trade practices.[2]
  • Consider civil remedies; consult the municipal code and state statutes for applicable sections.[3]

FAQ

How do I report a deceptive ad in Fort Collins?
Gather evidence, contact the seller or platform, file a police report if you lost money, and submit a consumer complaint to the Colorado Department of Law.
Will the city pay me back if I was scammed?
The city does not directly reimburse victims; restitution may be ordered in criminal or civil proceedings but is not guaranteed.
Is deceptive advertising a criminal offense in Fort Collins?
Deceptive advertising may support criminal fraud or theft charges depending on the conduct; Fort Collins Police and the Larimer County DA handle criminal matters.
What evidence helps an investigation?
Screenshots with timestamps, receipts, transaction records, communication logs, and witness information are most helpful.

How-To

  1. Collect screenshots, receipts, URLs, and contact information for the seller or platform.
  2. Attempt resolution with the seller or platform and save all communications.
  3. File a police report with Fort Collins Police if you suffered a financial loss or were threatened.
  4. Submit a consumer complaint to the Colorado Department of Law for deceptive trade practice review.
  5. Preserve evidence for possible civil action and consult an attorney if you seek restitution.
  6. Monitor case numbers and follow up with investigating agencies as directed.

Key Takeaways

  • Preserve evidence quickly to support police or AG investigations.
  • Use Fort Collins Police for criminal reports and the Colorado AG for civil consumer complaints.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Collins - Police reporting and online report options
  2. [2] Colorado Department of Law - Consumer Protection complaint information
  3. [3] Fort Collins Municipal Code (Municode) - Code of Ordinances

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