OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. —The Okaloosa County Jail is warning the families of jail inmates about a bond scam involving individuals falsely posing as bail bondsmen.
Staff at the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections have reported they have encountered multiple recent instances of individuals falsely posing as bail bondsmen to families of inmates housed within the Okaloosa County Jail.
Reportedly, the individuals contact family members of inmates and claim to be able to bond their family members out of jail if they are given payment in the form of gift card numbers or virtual payments such as Cash App or Venmo in various dollar amounts.
According to the announcement by the jail, legitimate bail bond agents will not reach out to families to notify them of an arrest. By law, bail bond agents must provide their clients with a contract, receipt, advisement of terms, and contact information.
If you contact a registered bonding agent, they will arrange to meet you in person, at their office or the jail, to provide you with the required information and to accept payment for their service.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is investigating these cases.
If you encounter a similar situation, immediately notify the OCSO on the non-emergency line at 850-651-7400.
