Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Warns of Jail Scam Targeting Families

MURPHY, N.C. — The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is alerting the public to a nationwide scam in which fraudsters posing as jailers contact people trying to bond out incarcerated family members and demand credit or debit card payments for their release.

According to the sheriff's office, multiple individuals have reported being contacted by callers claiming to be jail staff while they were waiting to post bond. The scammers request payment via credit or debit card to "authorize" the release of their relative.

"This scam has been reported in multiple locations across the nation," the sheriff's office stated. Authorities are working to determine how the scammers are obtaining information about detained individuals and their family members.

Sheriff Chris Wood emphasized that neither the Sheriff's Office nor any Detention Center will ever contact someone and request financial payments or personal financial information.

"Please remember that you will NEVER be contacted by the Sheriff’s Office or Detention Center, in any jurisdiction, and asked to provide any type of financial payment or information," the office said. "If contacted DO NOT give out your sensitive data."

The warning was included in a scam alert graphic shared by the agency, which features a graphic of an "UNKNOWN CALLER" on a smartphone with a red warning triangle.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call should report it to their local law enforcement agency. The sheriff's office encouraged residents to stay vigilant, especially during holiday periods.