Residents in St. Charles Parish are being warned about a scam that targets families of people in jail. Authorities say scammers are using publicly available information from the parish jail roster to trick relatives into sending money. The sheriff’s office says the callers pretend to offer help with bail but are actually trying to steal money through digital payment methods.
Sheriff’s Office Warns Families of Inmates About Scam
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about a scam aimed at relatives of people who are currently incarcerated.
According to officials, scammers are contacting family members and claiming they can help secure the release of inmates by paying a reduced bond amount.
The calls appear convincing because the scammers are using real information taken from the parish’s public jail roster, which lists people currently in custody.
Scammers Request Payment Through Digital Methods
Authorities say the scammers are asking victims to send money using methods that are difficult to trace or recover.
The requested payment methods include:
- Apple Pay
- Gift cards
Law enforcement officials say these payment options are commonly used in scams because once the money is sent, it is very difficult to get it back.
Caller Using Name of Sheriff’s Office Employee
Investigators say scammers are even using the name of a real sheriff’s office employee to make the calls sound legitimate.
According to officials, the callers have mentioned Sgt. Jason Guidry, who is an actual employee of the sheriff’s office.
Authorities emphasized that this individual is not involved in the scam, and the use of his name is simply a tactic to gain trust from victims.
How the Scam Works
The scam typically follows a similar pattern:
- A scammer finds information about an inmate from the public jail roster.
- The scammer contacts a relative of the inmate.
- They claim a reduced bond payment can secure the inmate’s release.
- They demand immediate payment using Apple Pay or gift cards.
Officials say victims are pressured to send money quickly before they have time to verify the information.
Authorities Stress Bond Payments Do Not Work This Way
Law enforcement officials stressed that legitimate bond payments do not work in the way described by the scammers.
According to the sheriff’s office:
- Bond amounts are set by a judge.
- The full amount must be paid through official channels.
- Law enforcement does not request payment through gift cards or digital apps during phone calls.
If someone receives a call requesting payment in this way, officials say it is almost certainly a scam.
How to Verify Information
Anyone who receives a suspicious call about an inmate is encouraged to verify the information directly with jail officials.
Families can contact the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center by calling 985-783-1164.
Officials say verifying information directly with the correctional facility can help prevent people from becoming victims of fraud.
Tips to Avoid Jail-Related Scams
Authorities recommend several steps to protect yourself from scams like this:
- Never send money through gift cards or digital payment apps to someone claiming to be law enforcement.
- Verify any information by contacting the jail directly.
- Do not share personal or financial information with unknown callers.
- Report suspicious calls to local law enforcement.
