GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Scammers are using inmates at the Sumner County Jail to make a profit. 

The Sumner County Sheriff's Office said some residents have fallen victim to a bail payment scam in recent weeks.

The catch: victims have to have a loved one booked at the county jail. Officials said the scammers appear to be using public records and other resources that show who has been arrested in Sumner County.

From that information, they are then able to manipulate family members into sending them money. 

One victim, who asked not to be named, paid over $5,000 last week, believing he was helping his relative get released.

“They’re very sophisticated. They knew everything about [our relative’s] case,” the man told News 2. “The concern is, how are they getting this information? How can they see who this inmate called?” 

The man’s family member was arrested for speeding and DUI. He said he was made aware of the arrest when another family member received a call from a Tennessee number, claiming to be a lieutenant with the sheriff’s records department. 

“They said the bail had been lowered and said the way to take care of that is take this amount of money and go to a kiosk,” the man explained. “Which sounded strange, but at that time, you’re upset, you don’t know what’s going on!” 

After his first deposit, the man said he continued to receive calls, asking for more payments to cover costs like his relative’s ankle monitor and car impound fee. 

Several withdrawals later, it was a teller at the man’s bank in Gallatin who realized what was happening. 

“He overhead and said, 'Sir, you’re getting scammed,'" the man recalled. " The manager at the bank called the Sumner County sheriff. The sheriff said, 'In the first place, that’s not how we collect money. Secondly, there’s no such person.'"

The man said he feels rage and embarrassment after falling for this scam. But he’s also not the only one that’s been a victim in Sumner County. 

“The officer from Sumner County Sheriff’s Department came out here, said he’s working a couple other cases just like this — they just didn’t get as much money,” said the man. 

The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office were unable to speak in-depth with News 2 on this scam. However, the department confirmed the scam has been occurring. 

Their advice, in line with what the man emphasized to News 2, is for the public to always verify that the person calling is actually who they say they are. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/they-know-everything-families-of-inmates-at-sumner-county-jail-targeted-in-bail-scam/