From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The victim of a Social Security phone scam will be getting his money back thanks to a sheriff’s deputy’s quick actions.

On August 9, 2018, at about 2:45 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call from a Eureka man who had just been scammed.

According to the victim, he was contacted by someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration and was instructed to send $13,000 in cash to resolve an alleged investigation. The scammers directed the victim to wrap the cash in clothing and then overnight the package through FedEx to an address in New Jersey. The victim sent the package but then became suspicious and contacted law enforcement.

A sheriff’s deputy contacted FedEx, who located the package at their shipping facility in New Jersey. The deputy was able to stop the package from being delivered and reroute it back to the victim. Law enforcement in New Jersey are now investigating the case.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that law enforcement and other government agencies will never call you for bail money or any other type of payment in relation to an investigation. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with a legitimate company or government agency asking you to send money, hang up and call the company/agency back at their publicly listed line.

Report scams to your local law enforcement and to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.