Scam Targeting Family Members of Jail Residents

March 05, 2025
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office has learned of scammers targeting family members of individuals incarcerated in the Dane County Jail. On Tuesday, March 4th, a family member was contacted by someone posing as a Sergeant asking to collect fees for an ankle monitoring program.
The “Sergeant” claimed the paperwork for the resident’s release had been completed, and the person would be released from jail as soon as the payment was made. Thankfully, the recipient of this call did not make the payment.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that we do not call family members asking them to pay a fee for someone to be released on a jail diversion program. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office does not offer electronic monitoring for individuals who have not been sentenced.
If you have received one of these calls and provided a payment, please contact your local authorities.