A bail bond scam was reported to authorities in Conway, AR. According to the Log Cabin Democrat, a manager of a Waffle House received a phone call early Sunday morning from a man who identified himself as Brandon Clay and said he was a bondsman. The man said that he was at a Pulaski County jail with one of her employees, who had been injured in a car accident, and asked the manager for $220 to bond the man out. A few hours after the manager transferred the money, she told police, she found out that the employee had been at home asleep the whole time. A check of Arkansas licensing records reveals that there is no Brandon Clay licensed as a bondsman.
The identical scam was reported in Florida last month. Impersonators targeted restaurants, reporting that an employee had been arrested. The restaurants wired the money only to find out later that the named employee had never been arrested. Police report that it is difficult to find the accused scammers because the entire transaction was conducted by telephone.
How to avoid this scam: Check state licensing records. Almost all states have licensing records online. In Missouri, you can find them here. Call law enforcement authorities where the bond is located. Confirm that the co-worker or loved one is in custody and the person calling is an agent in that area. Check the yellow pages for bail bond companies.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
1 comment:
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Here we go again. The only fortunate thing about this one is that it very well might not be one of us (Professional Bondsmen) that is involved. That dosn't mean that it dosn't hurt.
ReplyDeleteAs Professional Bondsmen we should always be meeting with our co-signers face to face. I know that sometimes it is just not possible especially when the indemnitor is in another state. However, we all have licenses. Mine is in an ID holder that has a lanyard so I can wear it around my neck. Tha tway when I meet with my co-signers they can see it. And if they ask about it I am proud to show them.
Public relations, in this busines, is a trait that we should all be working on at all times. We have to bolster the publics positive view of our industry.
Just my 2 cents.