The Black Rock Police Department has issued a warning about a scam targeting residents in Lawrence County. According to officials, the scheme appears to involve callers impersonating bail bond companies to extract money from family members of individuals who are incarcerated.
The scam reportedly begins with unsolicited calls to family members. Scammers use high-pressure tactics, including creating a false sense of urgency, secrecy, and fear, to solicit payments. They often request money through untraceable methods such as Cash App, gift cards, Zelle, and Venmo.
Residents are encouraged to protect themselves by taking specific steps if they receive such a call. Authorities recommend verifying any claims of arrest directly with local detention centers and confirming the legitimacy of bail bond companies by checking license numbers, verifying physical addresses, and reading all associated documentation carefully. Officials emphasized that scammers can spoof local phone numbers and create fake websites to appear credible.
Police Chief Archer and the Black Rock Police Department caution residents to exercise skepticism and vigilance. "We appreciate Chief Archer and the BRPD for raising awareness about this scam," said officials in their statement.
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a scam or suspects fraudulent activity, law enforcement encourages reporting the incident to local authorities promptly.