Across the country, scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers and targeting families within minutes or hours of a loved one being arrested. These criminals pretend to be deputies, sergeants, jail staff, or pretrial specialists and use fear and urgency to trick people into sending money.
This message is for our bail agent family and the general public so we can work together to stop these scams.
How the Scam Works
Scammers are:
- Calling family members shortly after an arrest
- Claiming to be from a jail, sheriff’s office, police department, or pretrial services
- Saying money is needed immediately for:
- Bail or bond
- Ankle monitors
- Diversion or pretrial programs
- “Fees” to avoid more jail time or additional charges
They often demand payment through:
- Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal
- Gift cards or prepaid cards
- Wire transfers or cryptocurrency
- Any other instant electronic transfer platform
They rely on fear, confusion, and urgency—especially when families are scared and don’t understand how the bail process works.
What Legitimate Agencies Will Not Do
Legitimate law enforcement agencies, courts, and jails do not:
- Call you unexpectedly and demand immediate payment
- Ask you to pay bail, bond, or program fees through:
- Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or similar apps
- Gift cards or prepaid cards
- Cryptocurrency or wire transfer
If someone calls and demands instant payment using these methods, it is a scam.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call
1. Hang up immediately.
Do not provide any personal information, account numbers, or continue the conversation.
2. Do NOT send money electronically.
Never pay via:
- Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal
- Gift cards or prepaid cards
- Wire transfers
- Cryptocurrency
- Any electronic payment platform requested over the phone by a stranger
3. Verify the arrest through official channels.
- Call the jail or sheriff’s office using a phone number you find yourself on an official government website.
- Check inmate or custody status directly on the official county or state corrections website.
- If you are unsure what to do, contact a trusted, licensed bail agent for guidance.
4. Report the scam attempt.
- Contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number and file a report.
- Provide details about the call: the phone number used, what was said, and any payment instructions given.
5. Warn family members and caregivers.
Scammers often target:
- Elderly relatives
- People who are unfamiliar with technology
- Those who are easily pressured in high-stress situations
Make sure they know: no legitimate agency will demand electronic payment on the spot over the phone for bail.
For Our Bail Agent Family
As licensed bail agents, you are often the first trusted voice a family hears after an arrest. You play a critical role in stopping these scams:
- Educate callers.
Remind them that law enforcement and courts do not request bail payments via payment apps, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. - Encourage verification.
Tell families to always confirm custody status directly with the jail or sheriff’s office using official phone numbers and websites. - Share this information.
Post scam warnings in your office, on your website, and on social media so more people are aware. - Report patterns.
If you hear repeated stories about similar calls in your area, notify local law enforcement so they can investigate.
