When someone is in jail, whether it is one of your family or a friend, worry is most likely your first reaction which may then turn into panic. You will want to act immediately to get this person out of jail. For someone in your crucial situation, getting tricked and scammed is very common. There are a lot of con men out there who will feed off your vulnerability.
The first thing most people do to get their loved ones out of jail is to contact a bail bonds Greeley CO agency. Unfortunately, bail bond scams are rampant in Colorado, as with anywhere in the country. Some even take immense efforts to set up a seemingly legit bail bonds Greeley hotline number that anyone can easily contact.
Here are three bail bond scams and how you can avoid them.
The Grandchild Scam
This is one of the most common scams everyone should look out for especially elderly people. In 2018 alone, the grandchild scam had cost Americans nearly $41 million. In this type of scam, scammers who pretend they are from bail bonds Greeley CO trick elderly people by calling them and telling them their grandchild has been arrested. They will then come up with a story that their grandchild is in need of bail and they’re the only family member they can reach out. Naturally, if grandparents don’t realize the scam, they will end up shelling out a substantial amount of money to the scammers.
“Cheap” Bail Bonds
When looking for bail bonds Greeley, most people would likely be more inclined to call those who offer the cheapest rates. Desperate family members or friends are usually the prey on this situation as it can be a classic bait to lock them into a scam. Once the paperwork is signed, these so-called cheap bail bond companies will then hit you up with higher and hidden fees. Sometimes, one should have second thoughts if an offer is too good to be true.
The Phony Bondsman Scam
In this type of scam, phony bondsmen will send out junk emails with spyware on it. If a police officer is tricked on clicking the link, it will be downloaded on their computer. Scammers will now have access to detailed information on who was recently released on bond or who was arrested. They will call the person who signed the bond and get them to pay more money by making up a story that there is a problem with their case.
How can you avoid these bail bond scams?
You can protect yourself against this type of scams by doing the following:
Never give out personal information. Any member from law enforcement or real bail bond companies will not ask for your credit card information, social security number, or home address, over the phone to post bail.
See proof of licensing and insurance. If you are doubtful of a bail bond company, always ask proof of licensing and insurance.
Be skeptical. When it comes to dealing with something unfamiliar, approach it with a good amount of skepticism. If someone introduces themselves as a bail agent and asks you money or personal information, don’t just give in. Verify it first.
Trust a legitimate Colorado bail bond company for all your needs. Visit Lucky Lucero’s Bail Bonds today and get a free quote.