BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a scam in which callers impersonate law‑enforcement personnel and demand money from families of incarcerated individuals.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been contacting relatives of inmates and falsely claiming that payment is required for an ankle monitor before their loved one can be released from jail. In several cases, the callers have used real inmate information and even the names of actual Sheriff’s Office employees in an attempt to appear legitimate.
Officials stress that the calls are fraudulent.
Sheriff’s Office: “We do not call and demand payment.”
Deputies say the agency never contacts families by phone to request money for ankle monitors, bonds, release fees, or any other court‑related requirement. Release conditions are determined only by a magistrate or judge, and payments are handled through official channels — not through unsolicited phone calls.
What to Do if You Receive a Call
Residents who receive one of these scam calls are urged to:
- Do not send money
- Do not share personal or financial information
- Hang up immediately
- Call the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office directly using the non‑emergency number to verify any concerns
The Sheriff’s Office is asking the community to help spread the word so others do not fall victim.
“Stay alert. Stay informed,” officials said, emphasizing that awareness is the strongest defense against fraud.
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