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The Columbia County Sheriff's Department in Hudson is alerting residents about a scam targeting families of incarcerated individuals. Scammers are posing as sheriff's office employees and contacting family members, claiming their loved ones can be released from jail if a payment is made. The scammers request payments through methods such as gift cards, Venmo, or Apple Pay.
The sheriff's office emphasizes that it never demands payment over the phone and advises anyone receiving such calls to report them immediately. According to Columbia County's official website, similar scams have been reported nationwide, where fraudsters claim citizens have missed jury duty and need to pay fines using prepaid money cards to avoid arrest.
Residents are urged to be vigilant and verify any suspicious calls by contacting the sheriff's office directly. The department reminds the public that no legitimate law enforcement agency will request payment via gift cards or online payment platforms.