Fayette County, IL – The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new phone scam targeting families of inmates, falsely claiming to represent the department.
According to a statement posted by the Sheriff’s Office on social media Saturday, callers are telling family members that their incarcerated relatives can be released through an “ankle bracelet program” for a $500 fee.
“This is a scam and we would never call family to offer a program like this,” the post stated. Officials urged residents to remain cautious and never send money or share personal information with unsolicited callers.
The Sheriff’s Office said it has received multiple reports from concerned residents and emphasized that legitimate inmate release programs are handled directly through the jail or court system—never by phone payment requests.
Residents who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to hang up immediately and contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
This scam joins a growing number of fraudulent schemes targeting families of inmates across Illinois, often using spoofed phone numbers or fake badge credentials.
Anyone with information about this or similar scams should contact local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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