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The Ulster County Sheriff's Office in Kingston has become the latest target of a phone scam where individuals pose as sheriff's office members. These scammers instruct victims on how to bail someone out of the county jail, claiming to be legitimate officials. The sheriff's office has clarified that they never contact individuals by phone to solicit payments for any reason.
Similar scams have been reported in other regions, including Louisiana and Alabama. In Louisiana, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office warned residents about callers posing as officials and asking families of newly arrested inmates for bond money. According to WVUE, authorities advise hanging up immediately, blocking the number, and contacting the sheriff's office directly if such calls are received.
In Alabama, the Mobile County Sheriff's Office reported that scammers are using public jail logs to gather personal details, making their calls seem legitimate. Sheriff Paul Burch noted that several people have lost significant sums of money to these scams, with some paying up to $4,000. Burch emphasized that the sheriff's office would never call to demand money for bail.
The Ulster County Sheriff's Office urges anyone who receives such a call to report it immediately and warns the public to be vigilant against these fraudulent schemes.