PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office has recently been inundated with reports from concerned citizens who have received phone calls from individuals claiming to be family members or friends in jail and requesting bail money. In response to this growing scam, Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey issued a warning to the public, emphasizing that the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office does not accept bail money over the phone.
Multiple residents have alerted authorities to suspicious calls they received, where the caller impersonates a loved one in need of bail funds. Sheriff Hafey urged community members to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against such fraudulent activities.
If you receive a call of this nature and it seems suspicious, the Sheriff’s Office urges residents to contact the jail directly at 740-477-6156 to verify if the person is truly incarcerated. To further assist residents in confirming an inmate’s status, the Sheriff’s Office advised individuals to visit their official website at https://www.pickawaysheriff.com/activeInmates. By accessing this online resource, citizens can check if the person in question has been booked into the county jail.
Scammers often prey on the emotions and vulnerability of unsuspecting victims, attempting to exploit their desire to help loved ones in distress. By spreading awareness about this bail money scam, the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office aims to empower the community to recognize and avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.