10/19/2026
SCAM ALERT SATURDAY: HOUSESITTING SCAM
On October 6, 2025, Denver Police District 3 Officer Ramos responded to a residence on S. Ivy Way on a report of a fraud incident. The victim explained that, in an attempt to earn extra money, he signed up for an online housesitting matching service. The suspect reached out to the victim via the website wanting to book him to housesit while he was out of town. As they began making arrangements, the suspect said painters would be doing work on the house while he was sitting and wanted him to pay the painters. The suspect ignored requests to meet in person but sent the victim checks to "build trust" and instructed him to deposit them and then use a mobile wallet app to transfer the money back. After depositing multiple checks and sending the suspect the money back, the victim grew suspicious and called his banking institution. The banking representative informed the victim that the checks bounced. In addition to the checks, the victim also sent the suspect gift card redemption codes and wired cryptocurrency. At this point, the victim had sent the suspect about $11,500. After realizing that he was being scammed, the victim blocked the suspect. Shortly after, another individual used the housesitting website to book the victim's services, again asking him to pay a painter.
🔎 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• Scammers on house sitting platforms often ask victims to deposit fake checks and then return the funds through mobile apps, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• They typically refuse to meet or video chat and create stories about painters or contractors who need to be paid.
• Any request for you to handle payments for someone else is a major red flag.
📞 IF YOU ENCOUNTER A SITUATION LIKE THIS:
• Do not deposit checks or send money through mobile wallets, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• Stop communication and report the profile through the house-sitting website.
• Contact your bank immediately if you suspect a check is fraudulent.
• Report fraud attempts to your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Stay alert and verify every job before sending money or personal information.
