Costly Con: How scammers are targeting families of Texas jail inmates
Scammers pose as law enforcement officers and target families of people held in Texas jails. They demand money for services they falsely say will secure the inmate's release.
How it works
Scammers contact family members of people in jail, claiming to be police or other law enforcement officers. They use the family's fear and worry about their loved one to create urgency. They then demand payment for services they say will get the inmate released, but those services do not exist.
Red flags to watch for
- Caller claims to be law enforcement about a jailed relative
- Caller demands payment to secure someone's release
- Caller promises freedom for a fee
- Pressure to pay immediately before the family can check
- Request for money from a source that is not the jail
What to do
Do not send money or share personal or payment details with the caller. Hang up, then call the jail or sheriff's office directly using a phone number you look up yourself, not one the caller gave you. Ask the facility how release actually works, and report the contact to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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Source: KXAN NBC Austin. Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.