Black Rock police are warning residents about a telephone scam targeting families of incarcerated individuals, according to Police Chief Brian Archer.
The scheme involves scammers impersonating representatives of local bail bonding companies. They employ high-pressure tactics to extract money from family members, often claiming immediate payment is necessary to secure the release of a loved one from detention.
Chief Archer said the scammers contact families using unsolicited calls and request payments through untraceable methods such as Cash App, gift cards, Zelle, and Venmo. The scammers create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly, sometimes before they can verify the legitimacy of the request.
Police advise the public to take specific precautions to avoid falling victim to such schemes. These include verifying the license number of the bonding company, confirming the company’s physical address, and carefully reading any documentation before making payments. Additionally, residents are encouraged to be cautious of fraudulent bail bond websites that could misrepresent their legitimacy.
Anyone who receives suspicious calls or believes they might have been targeted by a similar scam is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency and report any suspicious activity immediately.