I have received several calls this week in reference to scams being affiliated with the use of sheriff’s offices and police departments.
In these instances, the caller used an app to make it look like they were calling from an actual law enforcement agency. The caller had extensive information about the individual they were calling. Information included their family names, addresses, maiden names, license numbers, birth dates, and other identifying information.
The caller proceeded to give case numbers where cases were pending against them and advised them if they wanted to go ahead and prepay their bond they could be given a court date instead of being arrested.
While it is possible a law enforcement officer may call and talk to you about an incident, it’s highly unlikely you would not already know why they would be making contact with you.
If this occurs, please ask them for their name, department they work for, and badge number. Hang up the phone and look that agency’s phone number up from a legitimate source and call them directly. Ask to speak to that officer and give them their badge number. Advise them of the nature of the call you received in order to authenticate the call was made from them.
A police agency will never call you and ask you to make a direct payment for a ticket or a bond on a warrant. A bond can only be posted in person at a correctional facility or in person at your circuit clerk’s office. As law enforcement, we are not allowed, nor do we have the training or ability to post bonds at our agencies. Especially by apps such as Pay Pal, Venmo, or Apple prepaid cards.
Most of the time, once the money is paid, it is gone and not recoverable. The addresses with the accounts normally lead to abandoned houses or businesses, if they even exist at all. Many times, jurisdictional issues arise because they are traced back to a foreign country.
If it doesn’t sound right , then it probably isn’t right. Please do not fall prey to these scam artists.
If you ever have any questions about a call you received wanting money sent online and whether it is official, please feel free to reach out to my office, the Columbia Police Department, or Kentucky State Police. We will be glad to help you.
Sheriff Josh Brockman
Adair County Sheriff’s Office
424 Public Square Suite 20
Columbia, KY 42728
270-384-2776
270-384-6464
