FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison County Sheriff’s Office
1313 N. Main Street
Madison, Nebraska 68748
Phone: (402) 454-2110

SCAM ALERT: Madison County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Scam Targeting Recently Released Jail Inmates

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a scam targeting individuals who have recently been released from the Madison County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office has recently received reports from former inmates who stated they were contacted by individuals falsely claiming to be employees of the Madison County Jail or similar Law Enforcement Agency’s.  During these phone calls, the scammer tells the victim that an additional payment is required to complete their release from jail or that they must pay for an ankle monitor. The caller then instructs the victim to send money using electronic payment applications such as Cash App, Venmo, or other similar payment services.

These phone calls are fraudulent.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison County Jail will never contact an individual after their release to request payment through Cash App, Venmo, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any other electronic payment platform. Any legitimate court-ordered fees or other financial obligations are handled through established government procedures and will never require immediate payment over the phone through these services.

Anyone who receives a call of this nature should:

• Hang up immediately.
• Do not send money or provide personal or financial information.
• Report the incident to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to remain vigilant and to share this information with family and friends. Public awareness is one of the most effective tools in preventing fraud and protecting potential victims.

Anyone with questions or who wishes to report a similar incident may contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (402) 454-2110.

James Vrbsky

Chief Deputy
Madison County Sheriff’s Office