Scam Alert! Horrible Tale of 77-Year-Old Bilked of $40,000 Trying to Help Grandson

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Friday, April 1, 2016, at about 4:50 p.m., a Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff responded to the 2500 block of Hubbard Ln. for a phone scam report. The 77 year old female victim told the deputy she received a phone call yesterday, March 31st, from a subject identifying himself as a Eureka Police Officer. The victim stated she was told by the subject her grandson was in trouble and $2,000 was needed prior to a bail hearing. The victim believed the subject because he provided personal information about her grandson. The victim provided the subject $2,000 worth of iTunes funds. The subject then informed the victim her grandson’s bail was $38,000. The victim wired the additional $38,000 to a bank account back east. The victim sent a total of $40,000 to the subject. This case is under investigation for grand theft.

Below are a few links to websites that can help to prevent you from being a victim of a phone scam:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam
https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams
If you or someone you know is a victim of a scam, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.