Charleston, WV (WOAY)-The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about an ongoing phone scam.
According to authorities, scammers are targeting the relatives of individuals who have been arrested recently.
Callers are posing as law enforcement officers to demand money for bond, classes, or deferral programs.
In one case, a caller contacted a Cross Lanes resident pretending to be a deputy from another county and scammed her out of money following her daughter’s arrest.
In a separate incident, a suspect’s family member in Milton received a call from someone pretending to be from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, pressuring them to pay for his release.
Law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone for a bond or any type of release program.
Magistrate and/or court clerks only accept bond payments in person.
If you receive a call of this nature, hang up and contact the agency directly using a verified phone number or call 911.
