The North Carolina Department of Insurance Bail Bond Regulatory Division has reported a new scam targeting families of individuals being held in detention facilities across the state.
In this scam, someone posing as a bail bondsman or law enforcement officer contacts a family member, claiming their relative has been arrested and has a bond set. The impersonator then offers to help secure the person’s release for a percentage of the bond, requesting payment through platforms like Chime, Apple Pay, or even Bitcoin ATMs before the family member arrives at the jail.
In some cases, the scam begins with a call from someone pretending to be a law enforcement officer, followed by a fake bondsman arranging payment. The impersonator may also claim that an ankle monitor is required for release and request bond payment in gift cards.
If you receive a call like this:
🔹Do not send payment.
🔹Do not share personal information.
🔹Hang up and verify directly with the detention facility to confirm any claim
🔹Document the call (names, phone numbers, and any info the caller may have given you - take screenshots if applicable of any payment links or QR codes that the caller provided)
Detention Centers and law enforcement agencies will never solicit bond payments over the phone. Please share this post to continue to keep our community safe and informed.
If you’ve received a call from someone claiming to be a bail bondsman or law enforcement officer requesting payment for a relative’s bond, please contact the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 704-920-3119.