Scammers are getting more convincing, and this latest trick is hitting close to home. Law enforcement agencies across the country, including in the Capital Region, are warning about phone calls targeting families of people who are incarcerated.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s office is warning that the call usually sounds urgent and official. The person on the line claims they are with the Sheriff’s Office and says your loved one can be released if you pay right away.
They may mention extra fees for things like monitoring or tracking to make it sound legitimate. Then they tell you to send money through gift cards or apps like Venmo or Apple Pay…