SCAM ALERT!

The Washington County Sheriff’s office posted another Scam alert that happened this week:

We want to make our community aware of a scam reported today in Dodge County that could easily target families in our area as well.

Scammers are reportedly using publicly available online jail lists to identify individuals who have recently been arrested. They then search for those individuals on social media, locate their family members, and contact them directly.

The scammer tells the family member that they need to pay a certain amount of money to get their loved one out of jail.

Please be cautious. The fact that a caller knows your family member’s name, that they were arrested, or other personal details does not mean the call is legitimate. Much of this information can be found online.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Washington County Jail will NEVER call family members asking them to send money to pay someone’s bond.

If you want to bond someone out of the Washington County Jail, contact the jail directly using our official phone number to verify the bond amount and the proper payment process. Never use a phone number, payment link, or payment instructions provided by an unsolicited caller.

If you receive a call like this:

• Do not send money or provide financial information.

• Do not rely on a phone number provided by the caller.

• Hang up and independently contact the jail or appropriate law enforcement agency.

• Share this information with family and friends, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these tactics.

Scammers rely on fear and urgency to get you to act before you have time to think or verify. When in doubt, hang up and verify.