SCAM ALERT
01/02/2025
The Ida County Sheriff's Office wants to alert the community about a dangerous scam we've recently encountered. Scammers are calling residents and posing as members of a law firm or law enforcement agency and claiming that a loved one has been involved in an accident and is now in jail. They insist that money is needed to secure your loved ones release from jail and pressure you to agree to not discuss the situation with anyone else. In some instances, they discuss having you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
To make the scam more believable they may even put someone on the phone who pretends to be your loved one. In two recent cases scammers have personally come to a residents house to collect the money.
Signs this is a scam:
1. You receive an urgent call claiming a family member in trouble or in jail
2. A supposed "lawyer" or "law enforcement officer" demands immediate payment for bail or legal fees
3. They use fear tactics and insist you discuss the situation with no one else
4. Someone comes directly to your house to collect the money
If you receive this type of call please contact the Ida County Sheriff's Office immediately. Do not release any personal information to anyone who calls claiming to be a lawyer or law enforcement officer. Do not, under any circumstances, give money to any person who comes to your residence.
If someone comes to your residence do not allow them into your home. Call the Sheriff's Office immediately and do all you can to get as much information about the person as you can, to include vehicle information.