Sheriff's Office Warns Of Scam Claiming To Release Inmates From Jail

Photo credit: Patch file

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a scam claiming to help with the release of inmates at its Adult Detention Center.

Earlier this year, a person with a relative in custody at the jail received a phone call from a person claiming to work with first-time drug offenders to “assist in getting them out of jail if they were willing to complete drug counseling,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker said in a press release.

After a number of phone calls explaining the initiative, the caller informs the family member they have to purchase a $950 pre-paid credit card, which would be used to pay for the counseling. The caller explains that a portion of the money would be reimbursed upon the inmate’s completion of the program, Baker said.

“After the account information from the card is provided to the scammer, it is immediately withdrawn,” Baker stated.

No such program exists and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office does not work with any private companies or counselors to help with the release of inmates from the Adult Detention Center, Baker reiterated.

“This appears to be an isolated incident, but we want citizens to be aware should they receive a similar call,” Baker said.

This warning comes on the heels of a warning issued earlier this week by the sheriff’s office involving a person posing as a Georgia Power employee. This person would threaten the loss of power to a home if a resident did not make a payment over the phone.