MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is issuing a warning in hopes of preventing you from becoming a victim of a scam that’s making the rounds.
In a Facebook post, Deputies say they’ve received reports of scammers posing as bail bondsmen. MCSO says the criminals prey on unsuspecting individuals who have loved ones in jail.
The sheriff’s office says scammers use online inmate databases to gather information about incarcerated individuals and contact their families. They say you should be suspicious if you receive unexpected calls regarding a loved one’s arrest.
MCSO says if someone claims to be a bail bondsman and asks for payment through a mobile app, it’s likely a scam. They say legitimate bail bond services typically accept traditional forms of payment and operate through established channels.
The sheriff’s office says you should always verify the legitimacy of any business or service before sending money.
They encourage you to do this by taking the extra step to research the company, check reviews, and confirm their credentials.
While this alert comes from MCSO, scam artists don’t stay within any geographic boundary. This scam can happen anywhere. So just because a law enforcement agency in your county hasn’t issued an advisory doesn’t mean it’s not happening where you live.