Crime & Safety
Trumbull County, OH Scam Alert: Fake Deputies Demand Payments
Trumbull County, OH – Families with loved ones incarcerated in the Trumbull County Jail are being targeted by scammers impersonating sheriff’s office personnel and demanding money, authorities warned
By Cole Barrett · 2026-10-02T17:42:37.213Z
Trumbull County, OH – Families with loved ones incarcerated in the Trumbull County Jail are being targeted by scammers impersonating sheriff’s office personnel and demanding money, authorities warned Friday.
According to the Trumbull County Sheriff ’s Office, the latest scam involves callers claiming an incarcerated person can be enrolled in a program sometimes described as “Helping Hands” in exchange for a fee.
Authorities said scammers may falsely claim that making a payment could lead to reduced criminal charges, cleared arrests or expunged records.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the calls are fraudulent.
Officials said the sheriff’s office does not call people demanding payment to enroll an inmate in a program, remove an arrest, reduce criminal charges or have criminal records expunged.
Scammers may attempt to make the calls appear legitimate by using official names, titles, phone numbers or other information, authorities warned. Residents should not provide callers with payments, personal information, banking details or gift card numbers.
The warning is particularly aimed at people with family members or other loved ones currently held in the county jail, who could be more susceptible to claims involving an inmate’s case or release.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call claiming to come from the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office should hang up rather than provide information or money.
Residents can independently verify a suspicious call by contacting the sheriff’s office directly at 330 675 2508 , according to the agency.