Butler County, Ohio – The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam targeting families of recently incarcerated individuals.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are falsely claiming to be corrections officers and contacting residents by phone, alleging they are in charge of a new jail program. The caller reportedly tells victims their incarcerated family member can avoid a court date by paying $1,100 for placement on an ankle monitor.
The caller allegedly claims that 95% of the payment would be returned, with only 5% kept for the program. The Sheriff’s Office says this claim is false and part of a scam designed to pressure victims into sending money quickly.
Officials warn that the callers may sound convincing and may even use the names of real Butler County Sheriff’s Office employees to appear legitimate. Authorities stress that the Sheriff’s Office will never call residents to demand money for any reason.
The Sheriff’s Office advises residents not to send money, provide personal information, or engage further if they receive such a call. Anyone contacted is encouraged to hang up immediately.
Officials are asking the public to share the warning to help prevent others from becoming victims, particularly families already dealing with the stress of a recent incarceration.
This scam may be especially relevant to young adults and working families who handle legal or financial matters for relatives and may feel pressure to act quickly.
Residents who believe they may have been targeted or victimized by this scam are encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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