Local woman is victim in phone scam

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A Chimacum woman was bilked out of more than $17,000 by a telephone scam last month.

Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole said his office was contacted by a 73-year-old woman on Jan. 19 who said she had sent $17,600 to the Federal Trade Commission.

The woman said the con job started when she got a phone call from someone who claimed to work for Amazon who was investigating a fraud claim.

The woman was transferred to another person, and she was told a charge had been made in her name with the online retail company.

The phony Amazon employee told the Chimacum woman her identity had been compromised and she needed to make payments to have the issue resolved.

The woman was told to go to Home Depot and buy a locking, hand-held safe.

She was then instructed to place $17,000 in the safe, with bubble wrap and duct tape.

The woman said she followed the instructions and then sent the package to a United Parcel Service location where it could be picked up.

Nole said the woman was advised to contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, as well as her bank.

The woman was also told to call law enforcement immediately if something similar to the scam ever happens again.