MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning about phone scammers asking for money from residents.
Authorities said callers claim they work for the sheriff's office or are an employee of a bonding company. They specifically target relatives or friends of inmates and tell them they need money to post bond.
The scammers will often provide a CashApp, Zelle, Venmo or other money transfer app as a payment option. Once the money has been transferred, the scammer deactivates the account and phone number they used, according to authorities.
Authorities ask that anyone who receives this type of call to ignore any request. MCSO said they will not request that you transfer funds.
Many bonding companies use money transfer apps and have that information available on their website for anyone to verify. If you receive a call from someone posing as a bond company employee, you can call the phone number on their website to verify.
Additional tips to remember about these types of scams:
- Be wary if you are being asked to act immediately. Scammers typically try to push you into action before you have time to think.
- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office never calls or emails citizens to advise them of paying bonds for friends or family.
- Never send money, account information, or gift card information to someone over the phone.
- To ensure you are truly speaking to a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, you should hang up and contact the main number directly, 936-760-5800 option 3 and then ask to speak to the law enforcement officer who called you.
