(ANGOLA) - The Herald Republican reports the Steuben County Sheriff's Office is warning residents after a phone scam cost an Angola homeowner their jewelry collection. A Railroad Street resident reported Sunday that they were tricked into mailing jewelry to an address in Idaho. Investigators say the scam began with an unsolicited phone call. Chief Deputy Michael Meeks told the Herald Republican the caller posed as an insurance representative and claimed the jewelry needed to be sent away for appraisal. Deputies say that type of request is a major red flag. Meeks emphasized that insurance companies do not randomly call customers and ask them to ship personal property. He urges residents to never share personal information or comply with unexpected demands over the phone. Other warning signs of scams include high-pressure tactics, unprofessional behavior, and requests for payment using gift cards or wire transfers, which are difficult to trace.
Deputies say if a call sounds too good to be true, it probably is -- and residents should hang up and report it.