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ALPENA COUNTY — The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office warned the public about a recent scam involving fraudulent bond payment requests in a press release on Tuesday.

According to the release, a citizen recently reported that they had been contacted regarding a bond payment for an incarcerated individual. The individual stated that he received text messages informing him to go to CVS and have the cashier scan the barcode he was sent via text message. The messages instructed him to send $300, which he did. He later received another message claiming there had been a mistake with the bond amount and that it was actually $800, directing him to send an additional $500. The individual complied, sending a total of $800.

When the individual later arrived at the Sheriff’s Office, he learned the person he believed he was assisting had already been released on a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond, meaning no payment was required, the release stated. Law enforcement then determined that he had been the victim of a scam.

In light of this situation, the office encourages residents to follow best practices listed below to keep themselves safe from scams:

– Law enforcement will never request bond payments through text messages, barcodes, or retail transactions.

– Legitimate bond payments are handled through official channels such as the court or jail.

– Scammers often create urgency or claim errors to pressure victims into sending additional money.

If you receive a similar message, the office suggests to do the following:

– Do not send money or follow the instructions.

– Contact your local law enforcement agency directly using a verified phone number.

– Report the incident immediately.

The office encourages residents to remain vigilant and to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors. Visit alpenasheriff.com/679/Scam-Phone-Calls for more information.