Authorities are warning residents about a scam targeting relatives of jailed individuals, in which fraudsters impersonate deputies and demand bond payments over the phone.
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, scammers have been contacting family members of current inmates and falsely claiming to be deputies.
They then request bond payments over the phone, a practice the sheriff’s office does not use.
CCOS urges residents to be cautious and to never send money or provide personal information to unknown callers.
Anyone who encounters such a situation is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office through its "Call Before You Pay" hotline at (239) 252-CALL (2255).
The hotline is staffed by a deputy in the Financial Crimes Bureau from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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