A local sheriff's office is warning families of jail inmates about scam calls that push them to send money fast. Checking with the jail first is the safest move.
A local sheriff's office, known as VPSO, is warning families of people in jail to watch for scam phone calls. The message is simple. If someone calls about a loved one behind bars and asks for money, do not assume the call is real.
When someone you love is in jail, you are worried and you want to help fast. Scammers know this. They count on fear and speed to get people to pay before they stop to think. Pushing you to act right now is one of the most common signs of a scam call.
The warning is aimed at families and friends of people held in jail. It matters most for anyone who gets an unexpected call about an inmate, especially one that asks for payment. If no one you know is in jail, this is not likely to touch you directly. It may still be worth passing along to a relative or friend who has a loved one in custody.
The alert box above lists the steps. The key idea is to slow down and check the story yourself, using the jail's official phone number that you look up on your own, not a number the caller gives you.
The material from the sheriff's office does not say how many calls were made, what the callers claimed, or whether anyone lost money. It also does not say how long the calls have been going on. Anyone who gets one of these calls should report it to the sheriff's office so officials can see the full picture.
If a call about a jailed loved one asks for money, hang up and confirm with the jail using a number you look up yourself.
The Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
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