The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office announced on March 23 that criminals are impersonating law enforcement and bonding agents in an ongoing scam targeting county residents.
The warning is important as these scams can lead to financial loss or exposure of private information for victims who may believe they are communicating with legitimate authorities.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have recently contacted individuals by phone or text, pretending to be local officials and requesting money or personal details. The fraudulent schemes often involve demands for inmate bond payments through digital platforms such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo.
Officials emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office never asks for money over the phone in exchange for releasing inmates or enrolling someone in a monitoring program. Residents who receive suspicious requests are urged to contact the jail directly if they have questions regarding an inmate’s bond status.
Authorities advise everyone to remain cautious and protect their personal information from potential scammers.