Snohomish County, WA – Residents across Snohomish County are being warned about a new phone scam that falsely claims bail money is needed for local inmates.
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are using the county jail inmate registry to find the names of real people currently housed in the facility. They then research personal details about those inmates’ friends, neighbors, or employers and call them pretending to be a contact for bail.
The scammers allegedly request money through Zelle, providing a link for supposed bail payments. Because the names they use are linked to actual inmates, the scheme can appear convincing when family members search the registry.
Authorities emphasize that the Sheriff’s Office will never call residents to request money. “If you receive such a call, hang up immediately,” the department stated in its alert.
Officials urge residents to remain cautious, verify any unexpected requests, and report suspicious calls to law enforcement.
