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NEW ULM -- The Brown County Sheriff's Office said they have received reports of a new scam involving online jail booking records Thursday.
"Reports were made that state once someone new is added to the Brown County Jail roster, that their parents or family members are called by scammers and asked for money. When the family checks the jail roster, it shows that the individual is indeed newly in jail," read a news release from Brown County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Andrew Konechne.
Law enforcement will never request that bail be posted with PayPal, phone cards, Amazon gift cards, iTunes cards or other gift cards. Legitimate businesses will not ask for payment via phone or gift cards as well, read the news release.
If the call was not answered but a voice message was left, do not report it, according to the release.
If the call was was answered and the victim only spoke to the scammer without sending money or giving personal information, do not report it.
Be aware that scammers take notes and may have noted that a phone number is a "good number" and a potential future fraud victim.
If the scam call was answered and money was sent or personal information was given out, the call should be reported and victims should contact their bank or credit card company fraud department and law enforcement to report the fraud and/or financial loss.
Scam call receivers can come to the Brown County Sheriff's Office to verify an inmate's warrant and bail amount. Cash bail amounts can be received at the sheriff's office, the bail forfeiture notice can be signed for receipt of funds and the money and paperwork can be routed to another county if a prisoner is arrested in another county.
For more information, call the Brown County Sheriff's Office at 507-233-6700 or visit www.browncountymn.gov.