Ocoee PD warns of fake bail bondsmen

The Ocoee Police Department is warning residents to look out for scammers pretending to be bail bondsmen targeting residents. 

The department has received several reports of scammers messaging residents claiming a loved one is in jail and asking for money through Chime, Zelle or Apple Pay. 

"Once you take the bait, they're then calling back to establish some kind of electronic monitoring so for you to pay again and the scam keeps going on and on," said Sgt. David Ogletree with the Ocoee Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division in a post on Facebook. "So be savvy, be smart, look into it before you click the button to send money to these people."

The department is encouraging residents to always verify directly with your loved one, check that any bail bondsman is legitimate and when in doubt, call the Ocoee Police Department.