For Immediate Release
January 19, 2024
MCTXSheriff Issues Scam Alert for Montgomery County Residents
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning regarding a telephone scam that has been affecting citizens.
Scam callers are contacting residents claiming they are either with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or an employee of a bonding company. The scam caller will contact a family member or friend of an incarcerated individual and advise they need money to post their family/friend’s bond. Scammers will often provide a CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, or other money transfer app as a payment option. Once the money has been transferred, the scammer deactivates the account and phone number they used.
Anyone who receives this type of call is encouraged to ignore them. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office WILL NOT call and request that you transfer funds.
Many bonding companies will post their CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, etc. account information on their website so the account can be verified before transferring funds. If you receive a call from someone who identifies themselves as an employee of a bonding company, you can contact the bonding companies published phone number to verify their identity.
Here are some additional tips to remember regarding these types of scams:
- Be wary if you are being asked to act immediately. Scammers typically try to push you into action before you have time to think.
- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office never calls or emails citizens to advise them of paying bonds for friends or family.
- Never send money, account information, or gift card information to someone over the phone.
- To ensure you are truly speaking to a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, you should hang up and contact the main number directly, 936-760-5800 option 3 and then ask to speak to the law enforcement officer who called you.
Information Source
Specialist Caleb Cole
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Administrative Services Division
