BOISE, ID - Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning Idaho families about scammers impersonating law enforcement and court officials to steal money from relatives of incarcerated individuals.

Bail bond agents and court officials across Idaho report that scammers are using publicly available jail rosters to identify targets, then contacting family members with false claims that immediate payment is needed to secure a loved one's release. The scammers make their schemes appear legitimate by faking caller IDs, using official-looking logos, and referencing names of local sheriffs, judges, and court staff. Many direct victims to pay through cryptocurrency ATMs.

"These scammers target families at their most vulnerable moments," said Attorney General Labrador. "They exploit a parent's or grandparent's instinct to help by manufacturing fear, creating false urgency, and demanding immediate payment. It's cruel, deliberate, and wrong. Idaho families deserve to be protected from those who would steal hard-earned money through lies and intimidation."

To confirm information about an incarcerated family member, always verify information by calling the jail directly by finding an official number online rather than using one provided by the caller.

The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division offers the following tips to Idahoans looking to avoid typical scams:

• Demands for immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency
• Claims that fees must be paid to the sheriff's office or court
• Pressure tactics creating urgency or making you feel guilty for being cautious
• Requests to keep the payment confidential or not contact the jail directly

If you encounter this scam, hang up and contact the jail directly. Report scams at ReportScamsIdaho.com.