Have you gotten a call from someone who says they are a law-enforcement officer or bail bondsman in Guilford County?

Chances are it was a scam, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office says.

The sheriff's office has issued a warming about such scams, which often target the family members of jail inmates.

The scammers research recent arrests, then call the family members of the inmate and tell them that if they make a payment, the inmate can be released.

The sheriff's office does not take such payments by phone.

Generally, the sheriff's office says, the calls are made before the inmate's first court appearance.

The scammers may use fake names or in some instances, the real names of local bail bondsman, deputies, or police officers to appear legitimate.

The scammers often speak quickly an

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