The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to local residents about a scam targeting families of inmates. According to Sheriff Kevin Molder, scammers are exploiting publicly available inmate rosters to contact family members of those incarcerated, falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers.

Scam Details

The scammers tell family members that their loved one can be released from detention if a payment is made immediately. Sheriff Molder emphasized that law enforcement will never demand money over the phone for an inmate’s release, highlighting the importance of recognizing this as a fraudulent scheme.

Because the inmate rosters are public, scammers can use real names and other details to make their calls appear legitimate. Sheriff Molder advises anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.

Staying Vigilant

The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain vigilant as various scams continue to circulate. To help protect the community, the office has directed residents to the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office website for more information on identifying and avoiding scams.

Residents are encouraged to share this information with others to prevent further victimization. By staying informed and cautious, families can protect themselves from falling prey to these deceitful tactics.

Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.