Madison County Sheriff's Office Warns of Increasing Phone Scams

Over the past couple days, the Madison County Sheriff's Office have noted a significant uptick in calls regarding phone scams. Scams are always changing, and scammers continue to become more efficient. Please be VERY mindful when discussing your personal information over the phone.

Keep the following in mind:

• Law enforcement WILL NOT ask you to deposit funds into a kiosk of any kind.
• Law enforcement WILL NOT accept Apple Pay.
• Law enforcement WILL NOT accept payment in the form of gift cards.
• Law enforcement WILL NOT call to ask for bond money (as of September 2023, there is no longer cash bond in Illinois per the SAFE-T Act).
• Law enforcement WILL NOT call you about an active warrant.
• Law enforcement WILL NOT call you about missing jury duty.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In some cases they already have some of your personal information, are able to produce documents that can appear official, even using names for individuals who are employed by your local law enforcement agency.

Do not hesitate to disconnect the call and contact out to your local law enforcement agency. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number (618) 692-6087.