North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is alerting North Carolinians to be on the lookout for a new phone scam making the rounds across the state, leading to several recent arrests.
A copycat version of the ‘Georgia Prison Scam’, the operation targets families of inmates, where an impersonator will call a family member of a fellow inmate and demand they pay a percentage of bond by a cell phone app, such as Chime, Apple Pay or Venmo in return for an earlier release from their sentence.
“We’ve seen several different variations of this scam where those in jail obtained a cell phone either through another person or by drone drop off,” said Commissioner Causey. “We are asking the public to be aware of this scam, and to never send money to a bail bondsman over the phone without checking with DOI first.”
Once the scammer receives the money, they do not bail out the inmate. Instead, they make off with the money and refuse 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.
DOI is working with other law enforcement agencies on at least 20 separate fraud cases involving the scam.
“Be assured, acting as a bail bond agent without a license is a crime and impersonating a law enforcement officer is also a crime,” Commissioner Causey added. “Be wary of unsolicited phone calls from someone claiming to be a bail bond agent. Don’t bow to these pressure tactics, such as someone telling you it’s urgent to get the payment in immediately. Always check with DOI to make sure you’re dealing with a licensed bail bond agent.
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.