We have received multiple reports of a sophisticated scam targeting families of incarcerated individuals. Scammers are impersonating licensed bail bond agents and contacting victims by phone, claiming urgent payment is needed to secure the release of a loved one from jail.
These scammers often sound convincing and may reference accurate personal details about the arrestee—information they find online—to appear legitimate. They then demand payment via Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or other instant money transfer apps.
Protect Yourself – Know the Facts
⚠️ Scam Alert – Protect Yourself from Fraud ⚠️
What You Should Do:
- Hang up immediately if you’re asked to send money via a payment app.
- Verify the legitimacy of any bail bond company by contacting them directly using verified contact information.
- Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
- Warn others who may be vulnerable to this type of fraud.
Stay vigilant—and remember:
If you’re being asked to pay by app, it’s a trap.
IMPORTANT:
We do not—under any circumstances—accept payment through Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or any other mobile payment app. If someone claiming to be a bail bond agent asks for payment this way, it is a scam.
How the Scam Typically Works:
- A scammer calls a family member pretending to be a bail bond agent.
- They use real details about the arrestee to build credibility.
- They create a false sense of urgency and pressure the victim to send money immediately via a mobile payment app.
- Once the payment is sent, the scammer disappears—and the money is gone for good.