SCDPPPS warns about scammers preying on families of convicted offenders

South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (Photo: SCDPPPS)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) is warning people of scammers.

According to department officials, they are aware of scammers preying on families of convicted offenders pretending to be representatives of the agency.

Officials say scammers are asking for money in exchange for getting an incarcerated loved one released early from prison or in exchange for keeping a loved one from being sent to prison.

Families are told the money should be sent through an electronic cash transfer such as Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, MoneyPak, Cash App, cash gift cards, etc.

SCDPPPS would never call to ask for money in exchange for early release or to prevent someone from being incarcerated.

If you received that kind of call hang up immediately, contact local law enforcement and report the scam to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs by either calling 1-844-TELL-DCA (835-5322) or clicking REPORT A SCAM at consumer.sc.gov.

This type of scam is called spoofing, and is a scheme in which scammers pretend to be people you trust.

Tips from the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) on how to avoid scams:

• Don’t answer calls or respond to text messages from numbers you don’t know. Block
these numbers as they come in.
• Don’t give personal or financial information in response to a request you didn’t
expect. The government and legitimate businesses don’t do this.
• Don’t fall for high pressure tactics. Anyone who pressures you to make a decision, pay or
give over personal info is a scammer.
• Know the forms of payment scammers like to use (gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire
transfer). Avoid methods that are difficult to trace and as good as cash.
• Slow down. Stop and talk to someone you trust. Tell a friend, family member or neighbor
what is going on.

SCDCA has additional scam prevention resources at https://consumer.sc.gov/identity-theft-unit/scams .