Tag Archives: bail

Beware Latest Scams Cops asking for Bail Money & Postal Delivery Notices

In East Idaho there are a couple of scams going around.  The first involves people calling you up and acting like cops trying to get bail money.  They tell you they’ve arrested one of your friends, or in the case of a local business, one of your employees, and they need bail money.  Sounds unbelievable, because bail is normally handled through the courts, but, amazingly several people, and a local Pocatello restaurant (Butterburr’s) have fallen for the scam.  One guy was even told he would end up getting his money back.  Do not wire money to anyone you do not know, even if they claim to be a police officer!

The warning for the other scam is coming from the United States Postal Service (USPS).  People are being sent email notices about a package they need to pick up.

WEST WINDSOR, NJ - AUGUST 21:  Trucks are seen parked at a U.S. Postal facility August 21, 2002 in West Windsor, New Jersey.  Samples will be collected to see if the anthrax found in a Princeton mailbox last week was spread through the network that transfers mail from Princeton.  (Photo by Don Murray/Getty Images)

On Friday, October 22, I was in one of the Pocatello post offices and the lady in front of me asked for a package that she was told she had to pick up.  The Postal Clerk looked for some time, didn’t find anything, then asked for the pick up slip the Postal Carrier normally leaves.  The lady said she had gotten an email.  As far as I know the USPS does not send out email, or phone, notices that a package needs to be picked up.  It’s a good thing the lady didn’t click on the email link, ’cause that’s when they get you.  The USPS website has a warning about the scam.