Madison County Sheriff’s Office warns public after woman nearly loses $25,000

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Madison County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman narrowly avoided losing $25,000 in a sophisticated scam.

According to the sheriff's office, the woman was convinced by scammers to withdraw $25,000 in cash from her bank, hide the money inside magazines and package it to look like a birthday gift. She was then instructed to ship the box and pay an additional $200 for expedited delivery.

Officials say the woman's son learned what was happening and worked with the shipping company to recover the package before it reached the scammers.

The sheriff's office warns that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target victims, including:

• Keeping victims on the phone for extended periods of time
• Creating a false sense of urgency to pressure quick decisions
• Convincing victims not to discuss the situation with family members, bank employees, or law enforcement

Officials encourage residents to remain cautious and verify any suspicious requests before sending money or sharing personal information.

The department is also encouraging people to talk with older family members, friends and neighbors about common scams and warning signs. They also warn the public to never mail or ship cash, be cautious of anyone demanding secrecy or immediate action, and contact a trusted family member or law enforcement agency before sending money in response to an unusual request.

Officials say a simple conversation could help prevent a significant financial loss.