The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a recent scam involving fraudulent bail payment requests.
The Sheriff's Office has received reports of scammers monitoring the names of individuals currently in custody at the Washoe County Detention Facility using the WCSO website, according to a release.
Those scammers obtain contact information for family members or associates of the inmate, then reach out to them, saying that in exchange for a payment, they can secure the release of the person in custody.
Because the suspect’s custody status can be verified publicly, the request may appear legitimate and convincing.
Scammers request payment through platforms such as Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin, or other digital payment methods. These are significant red flags and are commonly used in fraudulent schemes.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office does not provide family member contact information to the public, the Sheriff's Office says. Information gathered by scammers is gathered independently.
Sheriff’s Office staff will never contact individuals directly to request bail payments.
Legitimate bail payments are only accepted through the following methods:
U.S. currency
Certified or cashier’s checks drawn on U.S. banks
Postal money orders (with the amount typed or stamped)
Bonds posted by licensed and accepted bail agents (except for cash-only bails and fines)
Bail may also be posted through the official AllPaid online portal, which can be accessed directly through the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office website under the Inmate Info section.
