PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a new jail scam affecting residents.
A release from BCSO says the new scam targets family members and pretends that a loved one is being held in the Bay County Jail.
The scammer will imitate jail staff, bonds and booking, or potentially even a clerk of the court. The Sheriff’s Office said they might sound professional and even have personal information about the victim. Additionally, the caller might pressure the victim into making an immediate payment.
BCSO provided the following examples of what a scammer may say:
The Sheriff’s Office said its staffers will never call demanding payment for someone’s release from jail. BCSO will also never ask for money through an online platform or other electronic payment method over the phone.
If readers receive a call like this, BCSO encourages them to hang up immediately and contact the Sheriff’s Office through a trusted phone number if they have concerns about a loved one. BCSO also encourages those affected to report the scam to their agency.
“If someone is demanding money right now and claiming they’re doing you a ‘special favor,’ there’s a very good chance the only thing getting booked is your bank account,” reads the release from BCSO.
The agency also asked that the public spread the word about the new scam to prevent friends and family from becoming potential victims.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County sheriff warns of new jail scam. Here’s how to spot it
Reporting by Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
