THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WALB) — The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam in which callers impersonate bail bondsmen and law enforcement officers to demand money for someone’s release from jail.

The sheriff’s office said scammers are monitoring recent bookings at the Thomas County Jail and using information available online to contact the arrested person’s family or loved ones. The sheriff’s office said they may request payment through Bitcoin, Cash App, or other electronic payment methods.

Police said the scammers may pose as U.S. Marshals and threaten people with arrest warrants for obstruction if they refuse to pay.

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to share this information with family and friends. These scammers are targeting people during stressful situations when they are concerned about loved ones who have been arrested. Please stay alert, verify who you are speaking with, and never send money to someone who is threatening you over the phone.

According to the sheriff’s office, the county has two approved bonding companies: S&S Bail Bonds and Mike’s Bail Bonds. Legitimate bail bondsmen in the county will not request bond payments through Bitcoin or Cash App. Neither a U.S. Marshal nor a sheriff’s deputy will call and threaten someone with an arrest warrant for refusing to pay another person’s bond, the office said.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up, avoid sending money or sharing personal or banking information, and report the call to the sheriff’s office.

If you believe you have been contacted by a scammer, call Thomas County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 229-225-4151.

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