Public Service Announcement - Scam Alert - Impersonators Posing as Jail Staff
July 13, 2025 – Sierra County Sheriff's Office officials are issuing a warning to the public about a recent scam targeting relatives of incarcerated individuals. In this case, scammers contacted a family member of a jailed individual, falsely claiming to be jail staff. The impersonators stated that a judge had seen the individual via video and that they could be released either by posting bail or by paying for a GPS monitoring program. The scammers requested payment and created a sense of urgency to pressure the victim into acting quickly.
Please be advised:
- Jail staff do not contact families to solicit bail or electronic monitoring payments.
- Legitimate bail transactions are handled through the court system or licensed bail bond agents.
- Never provide payment or personal information to unknown callers.
If you receive a suspicious call of this nature:
- Hang up immediately.
- Do not send money or share personal details.
- Contact the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
For more information or to report a scam, call the Sierra County Sheriff's Office at (530) 289-3700.
Source: Sierra County Sheriff's Office