(STEUBEN COUNTY) - The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers falsely claim to represent the sheriff's office or county jail.
According to the sheriff's office, scammers contact victims and say a bond or fee must be paid for an incarcerated individual. The callers often demand payment through electronic services such as Zelle, Amazon gift cards, or other online payment methods.
Authorities emphasize that this is a scam. The sheriff's office and Steuben County Jail never request bond payments or fees over the phone or through electronic payment services.
Investigators believe scammers may be monitoring recent arrests through public sources, then using online tools to locate phone numbers for family members. Anyone who receives a call requesting bond or fee payments should not provide any information and should end the call immediately.
Residents with questions can contact the Steuben County Jail at 260-668-1000, extension 5150, or the Sheriff's Administration Office at 260-668-1000, extension 5000.