Alachua County Court Services warns residents of bond scam targeting families

Alachua County Court Services is warning residents about a phone scam targeting community members and family members of people who are incarcerated.

In the scam, a caller falsely claims to be a government official who can arrange for an incarcerated person to be released from custody in exchange for payment, according to an Alachua County release sent on Tuesday. In some cases, callers may demand payment before the individual’s first appearance hearing.

Residents are reminded that the Alachua County Jail will never call family members to request that a bond be posted over the phone or online.

To protect against the scam, residents should:

• Never send money or post a bond through a website at the direction of an unsolicited caller.
• If a bond needs to be posted, contact a trusted, licensed bail bondsman or call the Alachua County Jail at 352-491-4444 for guidance on the proper bond process.
• Do not provide personal, financial or banking information to a caller claiming that a loved one is in custody.
• If a suspicious call is received, hang up and independently verify the information by contacting the Alachua County Jail.
• Report suspected scams to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Court Services officials encourage residents to be especially cautious when a caller creates a sense of urgency, demands immediate payment or asks for sensitive personal or financial information.

For more information, contact Alachua County Pretrial Services Supervisor Ebony Glenn at 352-548-3808 or eglenn@alachuacounty.gov.