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By Mike Causey

I want to make everyone aware of a new scam that’s operating across the state. It’s a copycat version of the “Georgia Prison Scam,” and it’s targeting the families of men and women being detained in North Carolina’s jails.

In this scam, swindlers prey on the hopes of inmates’ families. A scammer will impersonate a bail bond agent or a law enforcement officer and call an inmate’s relative, telling them that if they use a smartphone app, such as Chime, Apple Pay or Venmo, to pay them a percentage of the inmate’s bond, the inmate will be able to get out of jail.

The scammer often has someone working on the inside, usually another inmate or cellmate of the intended victim, cozying up to the victim to learn information about him, such as his name, charges against him, amount of bond he is under and names and contact information of his relatives.

The inside cellmate will then use a cell phone obtained from another person or from a drone drop off to relay the information to the impersonator operating outside the jail, who will then call the inmates relative to initiate the scam.

Once the scammer receives the money, he does not bail out the inmate. Instead, he makes off with the money and refuses to answer phone calls or texts from the family member.

Cases including variations of this scam have been reported in Wake, Alamance, Forsyth, Iredell, Lincoln, Gaston, Union, Mecklenburg, Cleveland, Buncombe, Johnston and Haywood counties.

The Department of Insurance’s Fraud Control Group is working with other law enforcement agencies on at least 20 cases involving the scam.

Acting as a bail bond agent without a license is a crime and impersonating a law enforcement officer is also a crime. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls from someone claiming to be a bail bond agent. Always check with the Department of Insurance to make sure you’re dealing with a licensed bail bond agent.

I’m telling you about this in hopes that you, your family or your friends won’t become a victim of this scam.

If you suspect a bail bond scam, please report it to us at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.

Mike Causey is the insurance commissioner for North Carolina.

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