Urgent Alert: Fake Navy Federal Scam Leads to $19K Cash Shipment Staff Reports January 22, 2026 9:30 pm Crime, Fort Walton Beach, Public Safety In Brief: Who: A Fort Walton Beach resident and scammers posing as Navy Federal Credit Union employees What: $19,000 in cash was mailed during a phone scam and later recovered by police When: January 17–18, 2026 Where: Fort Walton Beach and a FedEx facility in Mossy Head, Florida Why: The victim was tricked into believing her bank account had been compromised FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Walton Beach resident narrowly avoided losing tens of thousands of dollars after falling victim to a sophisticated phone scam, thanks to quick action by local law enforcement and regional partners. According to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, officers responded on January 17, 2026, to a report of possible fraud involving a caller impersonating an employee of Navy Federal Credit Union. The victim told police she initially received a call from a woman identifying herself as “Sarah,” who claimed the victim’s bank account had been compromised. The caller instructed the victim to transfer $1,200 to Cash App to “secure” the account. Believing the call to be legitimate, the victim complied. The following day, the victim received another call — this time from a man also claiming to represent Navy Federal Credit Union. He instructed her to withdraw $19,000 in cash and overnight the money to an address in Fort Pierce, Florida. The victim again followed the instructions and...
Read More
