BRYAN COUNTY, Oklahoma – The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a public‑safety alert after a wave of fraudulent phone calls targeting family members and friends of people incarcerated in the county jail. Scammers are posing as sheriff’s deputies, jail administrators, or even the inmates themselves, claiming that an immediate payment is required for an ankle‑monitor device.

How the scam works

According to the sheriff’s office, callers use the names of actual inmates and officers, and they often spoof the caller ID so the number appears to come from a legitimate law‑enforcement source. The script typically states that the inmate’s release or parole is being delayed until the “monitoring fee” is paid, and it pressures the recipient to send money via prepaid cards, wire transfer, or other untraceable methods.

Official response

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Sheriff Mark Henderson emphasized that the department will never call or text anyone requesting payment for an ankle monitor or any other jail‑related expense. “If you receive a call or message asking for money, hang up immediately and report it to us as spam,” he said. “We are working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to trace the source of these calls and protect our community.”

What residents should do

• Do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone.
• Never send money, especially via prepaid cards or wire services, to anyone claiming to be a sheriff’s office employee.
• Hang up the call and block the number if possible.
• Report the incident to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office by calling the non‑emergency line at (580) 555‑1234 or by forwarding the text to the same number.

Why the warning matters

Scams that exploit the vulnerability of families with incarcerated loved ones have risen nationwide, and local law‑enforcement agencies are on the front lines of education and prevention. By alerting the public early, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office hopes to reduce financial loss and emotional distress for affected families.

Community support

Local churches, faith‑based groups, and neighborhood associations have offered to assist families who may be targeted, reinforcing the community’s commitment to protect one another. “We stand together as a family of believers and neighbors,” said Pastor Lisa Miller of First Baptist Church in Durant, noting that the church will host a brief informational session on fraud prevention at its next Sunday gathering.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant, share this warning with relatives and friends, and remember that legitimate law‑enforcement communications will always come from official channels and will never demand immediate cash payments.

Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.