The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a scam targeting the family members of inmates.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been contacting relatives of inmates and falsely claiming their loved one can be released from custody if bail money is sent through payment apps such as PayPal or Venmo.
Authorities stress that these requests are fraudulent and should not be trusted.
The Sheriff’s Office said there are only two legitimate ways to post bail for someone being held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility. The preferred method is through the secure online payment system available at GovPayNow. Bail may also be paid in person at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with questions about posting bail is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division at 315-220-3469.
Officials are reminding residents never to send money through peer-to-peer payment services in response to unsolicited calls or messages claiming to arrange an inmate’s release. Anyone who receives such a request should hang up and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the information.
