The Hendricks County Sheriff's Office has sounded the alarm on a new scam preying on the vulnerability of families with incarcerated loved ones. In a recent social media post, the office reported that scam artists are cold-calling the families of inmates with a fraudulent pitch: the immediate release of their family member is just a payment away. This deception is grounded in the lie that the inmate can be enrolled in a program that expedites their release, pending a fee.
According to the Hendricks County Sheriff's Office's post, Sheriff's officials were fast to clarify that these calls are a stark departure from legitimate protocol. "No one from the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office will ever call you or your family requesting money over the phone for the immediate release of an inmate," the statement decisively made clear.
The Sheriff's Office has expressed concern over the rise of this particular scam and has warned the public to be vigilant. Scammers often target families during moments of desperation and fear, knowing that the urgency of a loved one's incarceration can cloud judgment and make even the most vigilant individuals susceptible to manipulation.
Authorities warn residents about a phone scam involving callers pressuring for immediate payment. Anyone who receives such a call is advised to hang up and report it to the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office so law enforcement can investigate and prevent further attempts.
