Bonneville County Warns of Jail Bonding Scams Targeting Residents

Sheriff's office urges caution after surge in reports of scammers posing as officials to extort money from families with loved ones in jail

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office in Idaho is warning residents about a growing scam targeting families with loved ones in jail. Scammers are reportedly harvesting names from public jail rosters and then calling victims, posing as sheriff's deputies, court officials, or bonding agents, and convincing them to pay money over the phone for their friend or family member's release. The sheriff's office is reminding people that law enforcement and jails will never solicit money this way, and that any demands for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or online transactions are a clear sign of a scam.

Why it matters

Jail bonding scams can be devastating for families already dealing with the stress and expense of having a loved one incarcerated. By raising awareness of this scheme, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office hopes to prevent residents from falling victim and losing money to these fraudsters.

The details

According to the Idaho Attorney General's office, scammers are identifying potential targets by harvesting names from public jail rosters. They then contact victims, falsely claiming to be sheriff's deputies, court officials, or bonding agents, and demand payment over the phone to secure the release of the victim's friend or family member from jail. The sheriff's office is reminding residents that legitimate law enforcement and jail staff will never solicit money in this manner, and that any requests for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or online transactions are a clear sign of a scam.

  • The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office issued the warning on February 15, 2026.
  • The Idaho Attorney General's office flagged the jail bonding scam as a growing threat to local families just days prior to the sheriff's office warning.

The players

Bonneville County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Bonneville County, Idaho that issued the warning about the jail bonding scam targeting local residents.

Idaho Attorney General's Office

The state government agency that had previously flagged the jail bonding scam as a growing threat to families in the region.

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What they’re saying

“Instructions of this nature by scammers is ALWAYS a tell-tale sign of a scam, not just scams of this nature but also scams related to jury duty, missing court dates, or paying fines to avoid arrest or criminal charges.”

— Sgt. Bryan Lovell, Bonneville County Sheriff's Office (Press release)

What’s next

The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be vigilant and to contact the jail directly if they receive a suspicious call, rather than sending any money. They are also encouraging people to report any scam attempts to the authorities.

The takeaway

This jail bonding scam highlights the importance of public awareness and caution when dealing with unsolicited calls or demands for payment, especially when it comes to sensitive legal and financial matters. By working to educate the community, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office hopes to prevent local families from falling victim to these fraudsters.