Normal, IL – A $20,000 scam targeting a Normal resident was stopped just in time Tuesday after police and a quick-thinking Uber driver intervened, according to the Normal Police Department.
According to police, officers responded on January 21, 2026, to a report of an attempted theft by deception in the 200 block of Eastview Drive. Investigators said scammers contacted a resident while posing as representatives of a financial institution and claimed an “investigation” was underway.
Police said the scammers instructed the resident to withdraw $20,000 in cash, place it in a box, and hand it off to a “courier” who would supposedly deliver the money for investigative purposes. Authorities emphasized this is a common and dangerous scam tactic.
The situation changed when the Uber driver assigned to transport the package became suspicious. Police identified the driver as Jason McPeek, who reportedly felt the request “didn’t seem right,” refused to deliver the package, secured the money, and contacted police.
Officers responded and confirmed the resident had been targeted in an active scam. Thanks to the intervention, the $20,000 was never turned over to the suspects.
Police stressed that legitimate banks, credit unions, and law enforcement agencies will never:
- Ask customers to withdraw cash for investigations
- Request money be handed to a courier
- Demand secrecy about a financial transaction
- Ask for verification by sending money elsewhere
Residents are urged to verify financial concerns by calling their bank directly using the number on the back of their card and to pause and contact police if something feels suspicious.
Normal police also used the incident to highlight the importance of community awareness, crediting McPeek’s actions with preventing a significant financial loss.
Anyone who believes they or a loved one may be targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact their local police department immediately.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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