Do not send money to an unexpected caller promising release, dismissal, or protection from arrest. Hang up and independently contact your attorney, jail, or court clerk. Verify the obligation and payment instructions before paying. An official-sounding caller or accurate case information does not establish legitimacy.
By Attorney Marc Lopez | Marc Lopez Law Firm
Why would scammers contact me after an arrest?
Publicly available arrest information can make a fraudulent call sound convincing. A caller may already know your name, charge, booking date, or bond amount.
In the source video, Attorney Marc Lopez describes a caller recently released after a DUI arrest. Someone impersonating a sheriff’s deputy offered to make the case disappear for an additional Venmo payment.
The caller nearly paid, but his bank flagged the transfer. He then contacted the firm.
The lesson is straightforward: knowing details about your case does not give someone authority to collect money.
What do bail and court payment scams sound like?
The transcript describes several recurring approaches. Each combines an official identity, a frightening claim, and pressure to pay immediately.
What if someone says my release from jail was a mistake?
The caller may claim you owe another release fee or monitoring payment. They may threaten to return you to custody unless you pay immediately.
Contact the jail or your attorney using independently verified contact information. Ask whether your release conditions actually require another payment.
Can I pay a caller to make an arrest warrant disappear?
Do not pay someone who unexpectedly calls demanding money to cancel a warrant.
Marion Superior Court warns about impostors claiming residents missed jury service and must pay to resolve fabricated warrants. Its advisory directs residents to verify first and avoid payments through unsolicited communications. Marion Superior Court public advisory.
A possible real warrant still requires prompt attention. Ask your attorney or the issuing court how to address it.
What if the caller claims I violated probation?
A caller may demand an immediate supervision or drug-testing payment to prevent jail.
Verify the claim with your assigned officer through contact information you already trust. Ask your attorney to review any alleged violation.
Do not assume that paying a caller resolves a probation issue.
What if someone requests bond money for a family member?
Confirm custody, the bond amount, and payment instructions directly with the jail or responsible court office.
Do not rely on the caller’s knowledge of your relative’s arrest. Never use the caller’s payment link as your verification source.
What if the caller claims to be a defense attorney?
Look up the firm independently and call its published number. Confirm the attorney’s identity, representation arrangement, and payment instructions.
A payment method alone does not establish whether a private lawyer is legitimate. An unexpected demand and refusal to allow verification are warning signs.
Can Indiana courts accept legitimate online payments?
Yes. Legitimate online court payments exist. The important distinction is whether you independently verified the payment obligation and official payment channel.
Hamilton County, Indiana, directs users to pay criminal court costs through Indiana MyCase. Users locate their case and select “Make a Payment.” Hamilton County Clerk payment instructions.
Those instructions concern court costs. Do not assume they establish the procedure for posting bond or paying every supervision expense.
For Indianapolis cases, verify instructions with the responsible Marion County office. For Westfield cases, identify the court handling your matter before choosing a payment process.
Before paying, confirm:
- The defendant’s name and case number.
- The reason for the charge.
- The amount owed and any actual deadline.
- The authorized recipient and payment method.
- How to obtain a receipt.
A receipt or document supplied by the caller is not independent verification.
What should I do during a suspicious call?
Use these steps before sending money or sharing financial information:
- End the call. Do not let pressure prevent verification.
- Find the official contact information yourself. Avoid numbers and links supplied by the caller.
- Verify the claim. Ask the appropriate office whether the payment is required.
- Contact your attorney. Provide the caller’s statements and any documents.
- Preserve evidence. Save messages, voicemails, payment requests, and transaction details.
Do not treat caller ID as proof of identity. Federal courts warn that scammers can make calls appear to originate from official numbers. U.S. Courts scam guidance.
Continue following verified court orders, hearing dates, and release conditions while investigating the call.
What should I do if I already sent money?
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Report the fraud and ask whether the transfer can be reversed.
Recovery is not guaranteed. The Federal Trade Commission recommends contacting the company used to send the payment and requesting help. FTC guidance for scam victims.
Save your records and report the incident to local law enforcement. You can also submit a report through the FTC’s fraud reporting website.
Who can help me verify a payment after an Indiana arrest?
An attorney can help review payment demands and identify the appropriate office for verification.
For questions involving criminal charges in Indianapolis, Westfield, or surrounding Indiana communities, contact the Marc Lopez Law Firm. Call 317-632-3642 to request a consultation.
And remember—always plead the 5th.