Champaign County Sheriff warns of phone scam targeting families of jailed loved ones
The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is warned residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as “Pretrial Services” and demand money to secure a loved one’s release from jail early this week.
The alert comes after similar reports surfaced in other parts of Illinois. State officials said they have received multiple reports of scammers calling or texting relatives of recently arrested individuals and pressuring them to pay through apps or electronic transfers.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Pretrial Services will never request payment for GPS monitoring or supervision. The Illinois Office of Statewide Pretrial Services has issued the same reminder.
Authorities stress that no legitimate government or law-enforcement agency will demand payment over the phone in exchange for someone’s release from custody. They also say officials will not negotiate the price of a supposed release, ask for payment via gift cards, Cash App, Zelle or similar services, or threaten immediate legal action if a payment is not made.
If a caller pressures you, claims money is needed for GPS monitoring, asks to be paid through peer‑to‑peer apps or gift cards, or refuses to let you hang up and verify their story, end the call immediately. Do not send money or share any personal or financial information. Instead, contact the sheriff’s office, jail, or court clerk directly using a verified phone number. If you have already sent money, call your financial institution as soon as possible and keep a record of all interactions with the scammers.
