Bail Scam Continues

September 15, 2026
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

Despite attempts to alert the public to a scam targeting families of individuals recently booked into the Dane County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office received another report over the weekend of someone falling victim to it.

Jail bookings are public information, and scammers are taking advantage of this by calling family members, falsely posing as jail staff, and asking for bail money over the phone. This past weekend, they were asked to pay $3,000 via Venmo, and the caller identified himself as a Sgt. Gary Reynolds. 

Telephone and computer scams have become increasingly complex and convincing; no one is immune to being targeted. The phone number on your screen may look legitimate, but that’s part of their game. It’s important to know how to recognize a phone scam. The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice:

  • Scammers may pretend to be law enforcement or a government agency. They may claim you’ll be arrested, fined, or deported if you don’t comply. Their goal is to scare you into paying. Law enforcement and government agencies won’t call to threaten you, and they will never ask for money over the phone.
  • Scammers will pressure you to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to consider their offer. Take your time.
  • Scammers will insist you pay using methods that make it hard to get your money back, such as wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. Anyone who insists you pay that way is a scammer.
  • Scammers will impersonate a government agency to obtain your personal information. Never give out sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or bank information, over the phone.
  • Scammers will play on your emotions. Most people feel compelled to respond if they believe a loved one needs their help. Hang up the phone and reach out to that person directly.

If someone you know is booked into the Dane County Jail, our website offers a “Resources for Family and Friends” page, https://www.danesheriff.com/Jails/Family-and-Friends, as well as detailed instructions on how to bail someone out of jail, https://www.danesheriff.com/Jail/Bail-Information

If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately. If you have been a victim of this scam, report it to your local authorities.