The Ada County Sheriff’s Office warned on Mar. 12 that scammers are calling people and pretending to be law enforcement officers, asking for money related to inmates at the Ada County Jail.
The warning is important because these scams target both families of inmates and victims of domestic violence, using personal information to make their calls seem real.
According to the sheriff’s office, some scammers contact family members and claim a loved one can be released from jail if money is paid immediately. In certain cases, callers mention pretrial release or the need for an ankle monitor. The scammers may use actual inmate names or booking photos found online to convince people they are legitimate.
A second version of the scam targets victims of domestic violence. In these cases, someone claiming to be a law enforcement sergeant tells the victim that the jail is overcrowded and payment is needed to keep the defendant in custody. Both types of claims are false, according to officials.
The sheriff’s office said law enforcement will never request payment over the phone for jail release or custody status. They also emphasized that payments will never be requested through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.
People who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to contact the Ada County Sheriff’s Office directly if they are unsure whether a call is legitimate.
