Bail Bonding Scams happen when a fraudster calls a victim claiming to be a Bail Bondsman. The scammer tells the victim that a loved one or relative is in jail and they need to be bailed out. Most people who receive a call of this nature would probably be inclined to believe the caller, especially if the supposed inmate is someone who has been in trouble before. As in other scams, the fraudster plays upon the emotions of their victims and places that sense of urgency to act quickly before they have had a chance to stop and think. The scammer will provide the victim with easy payment options such as Cash App or Venmo, gift cards or wire transfers. Once the money is received by the scammer, communication stops, and the victim is left with nothing. Assuming there really was a person in jail, not only were they not released, but now the victim of the Bail Bonding Scam is also out potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars.
In order to avoid being a victim of this type of scam, do not automatically assume that a phone call you get from someone claiming to be a Bail Bondsman is real. Hang up and call them back using a verified number to confirm their identity. If you can’t find a verified number, don’t call them back. You could also try to contact the family member that has supposedly been arrested. Beware of cold calls as Bail Bondsmen are not allowed to solicit clients through cold calls. Never rush into a decision or allow yourself to be pressured into sending money to anyone, remember scammers will play upon emotions and place pressure on their victims to act quickly. Be aware of the form of payment they are asking for; do not send money to Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, etc., no gift or prepaid cards, no wire transfers, and most definitely do not give out any personal or banking information. If you receive a call that you find suspicious, don’t hesitate to report it to law enforcement.
