Clark County Jail officials are warning residents about a scam targeting families after a loved one has been arrested.
According to the jail, scammers are calling family members while pretending to be “provisional release officers” or law enforcement officers. The callers claim an inmate may qualify for release if a deposit is paid for an ankle monitor, electronic home confinement device or SCRAM device.
Officials said the callers may reference the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, leave official-sounding voicemails or request payment through Venmo, gift cards or other difficult-to-trace methods.
Clark County Jail emphasized that the county will never call and ask for money to set up an ankle monitor, electronic home confinement or SCRAM device. The jail also does not accept Venmo, gift cards or similar payment methods.
Officials also noted that ankle monitor eligibility is not determined until after a person’s first court appearance. Any call before that claiming eligibility for release through an ankle monitor payment is fraudulent, according to the jail.
Residents who receive one of these calls are urged to hang up and contact the jail directly using the official main number, 564-397-4996.
