The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform the…

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform the public of an ongoing "Bail Scam" targeting community members.

How the Scam Works:

Scammers are calling individuals, falsely claiming to be from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office or local Police Department. The caller often uses the name “Sgt Thomas” and claims they can assist with pending legal matters or the release of someone from jail. Often being told that their family member or loved one can be released from custody with an ankle monitor for fee that is much less than their bail amount. The trend has been recently booked individuals into the facility and most of the time the individuals that we have received calls about are Pre Arraignments and no bail has even been set as that point.

They then instruct the victim to send money, sometimes specifying payment apps such as Cash App, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, or providing a physical location for payment.

Important Facts to Remember:* The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call you to demand payment for fines or bail, nor ask you to send money using payment apps.* Fines are assessed and collected only through the Court system in the appropriate jurisdiction.* Bail is paid directly at the booking department via cash, cashier's check or bond, with proper identification in person at the Facility.* The Sheriff’s Office Civil Division collects money for court-ordered civil judgments and income executions only as directed by a Court Order, and never through unsolicited phone calls.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call:* Do NOT provide personal or financial information over the phone.* Ask the caller for their name, contact number, and the address they are calling from.* Tell them you need to verify their identity before continuing and that you will call them back.* Report any suspicious calls to law enforcement by calling 315-736-0141. Wait until the end of the recording to speak with a dispatcher.

Stay Safe:Scammers can sound convincing and may possess some of your personal details. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Protect your information and verify before taking any action.