WEBSTER CITY — A suspicious package scare in Hamilton County prompted a law enforcement, fire and HazMat response Friday before investigators determined the mailed item was part of a prank and posed no threat to the public.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said a county resident contacted authorities on June 12, 2026, after receiving a suspicious package in the mail.
According to Sheriff Alex H. Pruismann, the package contained a small cylindrical tube with an unknown substance inside. The package had been mailed from an out-of-state address unfamiliar to the recipient.
Because of the suspicious nature of the package and the unknown sender, the resident brought the item to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for further evaluation.
Out of an abundance of caution, the sheriff’s office implemented additional safety measures while handling the package. The Webster City Fire Department, Region 5 Hazardous Materials Team from Fort Dodge and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office were consulted during the investigation.
Investigators later determined the return address belonged to people who have been dealing with the unauthorized use of their address through a virtual mailbox service.
According to the sheriff’s office, reports indicate that “spoof” packages containing confetti, random notes or joke-related materials have been mailed using that address, with many of the packages later returned to the address as undeliverable or returned mail.
Investigators also found that the package received in Hamilton County was identical to several similar packages reported across the United States that had been confirmed as pranks.
The tube was eventually opened in a controlled and safe manner. Authorities determined it contained prank materials and posed no threat to the public.
Sheriff Pruismann urged residents who receive suspicious packages or questionable items not to handle them. Instead, residents should contact local law enforcement or their fire department for assistance.
“Although this incident ended safely, future incidents may not have the same outcome,” the sheriff’s office said. “As with other scams, frauds, and hoaxes, we anticipate similar packages may continue to circulate.”
Pruismann thanked the Webster City Fire Department, Region 5 HazMat Team and Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office for their assistance.
Anyone with questions about the incident is encouraged to contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
(TOP PHOTO via sheriff’s office.)