The Weber County Sheriff's Office is sounding the alarm on scams targeting the loved ones of individuals recently incarcerated. In a social media post, authorities alerted the public that impostors have been deceiving people with a nefarious scheme after a family member or friend is booked into jail. The scammers falsely instruct potential victims to post bail, specifying a sum of money that is purportedly due.
The nefarious scam unfolds as the victims are being contacted with promises that they can secure the release of their loved ones by posting bail, a task the real sheriff's office never demands over the phone. "We have been made aware that scammers are contacting individuals when a family member or friend is booked into jail, with instructions to post bail for the individual, and providing a bail amount that is due," as per the Weber County Sheriff's Office. It is critical for the public to recognize that this is not how the legal system operates; the sheriff's deputies do not solicit bail payments through telephone correspondence.
This warning comes with a vital reminder from law enforcement: Weber County Jail staff does not request bail via any electronic means. The scammers are reportedly asking for payments across modern digital platforms, including but not limited to Venmo, Bitcoin, and PayPal, which are methods the sheriff's office explicitly does not accept. "The Weber County Sheriff’s Office also does not accept bail via Venmo, Bitcoin, PayPal, or any other payment platform," affirms the Weber County Sheriff's Office in their notification to the community.
