Aiken County Sheriff Warns Residents of Phone Scam for Fake Bond Payments

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office issued an alert about a phone scam. While phone scams are fairly common, scammers are now pretending to be law enforcement officers, court workers, or jail employees. The goal is to steal money from families.

Scammers contact victims and claim a loved one has been arrested. They target families whose relatives were recently detained. The fraudsters demand immediate bond money or say there's a warrant that can be cleared through phone payment.

Some use real officials' names. Others manipulate the caller ID to display what looks like an official number. These tricks make the scheme appear legitimate.

"Law enforcement, detention center staff or court officials will never ask for any payments by phone in any form, including cash, gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment apps or personal information," the sheriff's office statement reads, per the Aiken Standard.

The con artists might also request payment for ankle monitors. Messages claim these charges must be paid by phone to avoid arrest.

Real law enforcement won't threaten to arrest someone for hanging up. Officers never tell anyone to keep a phone call secret or avoid contacting relatives.

There are several ways to protect yourself from contacting the sheriff's office or detention center to verify claims. If a call feels suspicious, feel free to hang up. Don't get to the point of sharing your personal or financial details.

Anyone getting these calls should report them. The department wants to track these scams and prevent them from spreading.