Port Huron, MI – St. Clair County authorities are alerting residents about a phone scam that has been preying on families of jailed individuals, costing some victims hundreds of dollars.
According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are calling family members after a loved one is arrested, pretending to be deputies from the jail. The callers claim the inmate can be released on a tether if money is sent immediately, often requesting payment through PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay or similar services. Officials stressed they will never ask for money through digital payment apps.
Sheriff Mat King said a recent case involved a scammer spoofing the department’s phone number and identifying himself as “Sgt. Wise.” The caller convinced a family member to pay nearly $1,000, falsely claiming the money was required for release.
“It is disheartening that individuals stoop low enough to play on others’ misfortunes and take advantage of others in a stressful time,” King said. “Please remain vigilant and if you ever suspect something may be a scam, reach out to local authorities.”
Investigators said the scheme usually works like this: a caller informs a parent or spouse that the inmate must pay immediately or risk staying in jail. Payments are requested only through online transfers, never in person. In one example, a mother was told her son would be released by 4 p.m. if she sent $1,000 by PayPal. She became suspicious, called the jail directly and confirmed it was a scam.
The sheriff’s office urges residents to hang up and call (810) 987-1700 if they receive a suspicious request. Authorities said that no legitimate payment demands will ever come by phone.
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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