Scammers are contacting people with family members in custody and claiming that one payment through Cash App, Venmo or Zelle will secure their release with an ankle monitor.
The caller or text sender pretends to represent local law enforcement.
Families are warned that the incarcerated person will remain in custody or be sent back to jail unless the money is transferred immediately.
Police in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, said real authorities do not demand payments over the phone for an ankle monitor, fine or release from custody.
The Payment Must Go Through Cash App, Venmo or Zelle
The scam begins with an urgent claim involving someone who was recently arrested or is already being held in jail, according to Local 21 News. The supposed officer says the person qualifies for release under electronic monitoring but that an upfront fee must be paid first.
Families are instructed to send the supposed release fee through Cash App, Venmo or Zelle. Police said legitimate authorities do not call or text relatives demanding payment through those services for an ankle monitor, official fine or release from jail.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued similar warnings about people impersonating police and sheriff’s deputies.
Police Have Not Identified the Callers
Cumberland County authorities have not disclosed how many people received the calls or texts, how the scammers selected their targets or whether the same person or group was responsible for every contact.
Police are asking recipients to report suspected calls through their local department’s nonemergency number and to warn relatives who may respond quickly to an urgent claim involving someone in custody.
Verify Custody and Release Terms Through the Jail
A family receiving one of these calls should end the conversation without pressing a number, calling back or replying to a text. The incarcerated person’s status can be checked by contacting the jail, court, attorney or law-enforcement agency through information found on an official government website.
The Cumberland County Prison publishes its main telephone number as 717-245-8787 and its inmate-records number as 717-960-5528. A number supplied by the caller or displayed through caller ID should not be used to verify the demand because scammers can impersonate a real agency’s telephone number.
Families should ask whether the person is actually in custody, whether a court has authorized release and whether any official payment is required.