The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is warning community members about a phone scam in which callers ask people for money to release a family member from jail.
The Sheriff’s Office has received several complaints about the scam. Victims typically receive a phone call from someone who claims a family member has been arrested for a crime and then gives the victim a bond amount to have their family member released from jail. The caller then claims they need 10 percent of the amount in order to make their bond, according to a news release.
The caller may also tell the victim to call a specific attorney about the incident. The so-called “attorney” will then direct the victim to get cash for the bond and package it up in a specific way. Then the “attorney” will have someone, frequently an Uber driver, go to the victim’s house and pick up the money or direct the victim to mail the money to a provided address.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, bondsmen and attorneys will never send someone to a residence to pick up money or tell someone to send a payment to them via UPS or FedEx or give a payment to a third party service. Bondsmen and attorneys will ask clients to meet them at their place of business for payment or to arrange payment, the release states.
People should never give cash or other forms of payment to anyone without first verifying their statements or the legitimacy of the agency or organization. If you have been told a family member has been arrested, call that family member to verify their whereabouts or call the appropriate jail to find out if they have been arrested.
Those who have been a victim of a scam should contact their local law enforcement agency.
The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the scam.
— Compiled by Kim Sebring