DAVIESS COUNTY — Local law enforcement is issuing an urgent warning to residents after receiving reports of an active telephone scam targeting relatives of individuals held at the Daviess County Security Center.
According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, fraudsters are calling family members, posing as official representatives, and claiming that a loved one can be released on bail if payment is transferred immediately.
How the Scam Operates
Investigating officers report that the scammers are using sophisticated tactics to establish trust and exploit emotional stress:
- Legitimate Public Data: Callers frequently use actual inmate roster details, accurate booking charges, and genuine court bond amounts pulled from public records to sound convincing.
- Discounted Rate Hook: To entice quick compliance, perpetrators often offer “discounted” bond rates or reduced bail fees if paid immediately over the phone.
- Digital Payment Demands: Victims are instructed to send money via peer-to-peer payment applications including Cash App, Zelle, or PayPal, or through gift cards and prepaid debit cards.
Law enforcement notes that phone numbers are routinely spoofed to look like legitimate county agency or courthouse numbers on caller ID displays.
Standard Inmate Posting Procedures
Public safety officials emphasize that law enforcement agencies follow strict statutory protocols regarding jail bail payments:
| Policy Area | Official Protocol | Scam Red Flag |
| Initiation | Officers never call family asking for money | Incoming calls demanding immediate wire/app payments |
| Accepted Payment | Official court cash cashier, approved portal, licensed bondsman | Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or Gift Cards |
| Urgent Threats | Standard court appearance schedules apply | Threats of immediate transfer to state prison without instant payment |
What Residents Should Do
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office advises residents who receive a suspicious phone call to take the following steps immediately:
- Hang Up: Do not engage with the caller, confirm personal details, or send any money.
- Verify Independently: Contact the Daviess County Security Center or Sheriff’s Office directly at 812-254-1060 to speak with an officer and verify the actual status of any inmate.
- Report Fraud: File a report with local law enforcement and report fraudulent payment requests to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
