On September 21, 2026, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office issued a public alert warning residents that a new scam is targeting families of individuals who have recently been taken into custody. The scheme relies on authentic arrest records that scammers copy and then use to pose as law‑enforcement officials. By presenting genuine details about an arrest, the fraudsters create the illusion of legitimacy and press relatives to pay bogus bail or other fees.
According to the sheriff’s office, the scammers obtain publicly available arrest information and combine it with forged documents or phone calls that appear to come from official sources. Victims are told that immediate payment is required to secure the release of their loved one or to cover alleged processing costs. The demands often include instructions to transfer money via wire services, prepaid cards, or other untraceable methods. The office emphasized that no legitimate bail or fee collection is ever conducted through unsolicited phone calls or emails, and that any request for payment should be verified directly with the sheriff’s department.
Authorities noted that the use of real arrest data makes the deception harder to spot, especially for families already dealing with the stress of an arrest. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone who receives such a demand to contact the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office using an official phone number or website to confirm the authenticity of the request. They also advise individuals to refrain from providing personal or financial information until verification is completed.
The warning comes as part of a broader effort by law‑enforcement agencies to combat fraud schemes that exploit public records. While the sheriff’s office did not disclose the number of incidents reported, the alert underscores the importance of vigilance when dealing with any unexpected financial request linked to an arrest. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and report suspicious contacts to the sheriff’s office for further investigation.