Bradenton, FL – The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new scam targeting families of incarcerated individuals. Officials say fraudsters are posing as law enforcement or probation officers and contacting relatives of inmates, falsely claiming they can secure their loved one’s release by purchasing an ankle monitor.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers often pressure victims to send money immediately, promising to get their family member out of jail. Authorities emphasized that this is not legitimate and urged residents never to send payment or share personal information in response to these calls.
“When in doubt, hang up and contact the agency directly,” officials stated in their alert. The department advised residents not to use contact details provided in suspicious calls or messages but instead to look up the verified phone number of the agency, jail, or probation office.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to visit manateesheriff.com and click the “Scam Prevention” icon under the News Center for more information about ongoing scams and fraud prevention tips.
Anyone who has been contacted or believes they may have been targeted is urged to report it immediately to local authorities.
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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