DeKalb County investigators help scam victim get back almost $60k

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (WDEF) — DeKalb County investigators helped a scam victim get their money back after they lost almost $60,000.

DeKalb Sheriff Nick Welden says when someone loses money to a scammer, they have only 72 hours to get the money back.

It took them nearly a full day to fill out and send in all the paperwork in this case.

The sheriff’s office helped the victim get back $59,800.

The sooner authorities learn of a scam, the better.

Sheriff Welden made this statement on the incident:

“Criminals are continuously coming up with new ways to scam hard working people out of their money. We don’t want to see anyone lose their life savings to these criminals, so please if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. We urge you all to talk with your family and friends about these scams, especially the elderly who may be easily convinced that the scam is legit. Please do not give out any of your personal information to anyone over the phone unless you know 100% who you are talking to, and you were the one placing the phone call. But if you do fall victim to these criminals, please call us immediately at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at 256-845-3801 so we can try to help you get you money back.”