LOGAN — Law enforcement officials are warning residents to be on high alert following a surge in fraudulent phone calls targeting families with claims that their loved ones have been incarcerated.
According to the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting residents and claiming a family member is currently in jail. The callers then demand immediate payment for bail, instructing victims to send funds through digital payment platforms including Venmo, PayPal, and Bitcoin.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that these calls are entirely fraudulent. Officials clarified that law enforcement agencies do not contact family members to solicit bail money over the phone, nor do they accept any form of payment through mobile apps or cryptocurrency.
“This is a scam,” authorities stated in a Tuesday public safety alert. “We will never contact family to discuss posting bail, nor do we accept payments through any of these payment platforms”.
The tactic is a variation of the “grandparent scam,” which often relies on creating a sense of urgency and panic to exploit victims’ emotions. Scammers frequently use “spoofing” technology to make the incoming call appear as if it is originating from a local police department or courthouse to increase their perceived credibility.
Residents who receive suspicious calls regarding the legal status of a relative are advised to remain calm and verify the information through official channels. Police recommend hanging up immediately and contacting the non-emergency dispatch line at (435) 753-7555 to report the incident or confirm the status of an individual in custody.
Financial experts remind the public that payments made via cryptocurrency or peer-to-peer apps are often untraceable and nearly impossible to recover once sent.