LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Charles County Sheriff’s Office issued a joint warning April 24, 2026, alerting Southern Maryland residents to a phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement officers and claim they can secure the release of a jailed loved one.
Scammers contact victims, sometimes pretending to represent a neighboring county’s agency, and allege a family member or acquaintance faces arrest. They offer to arrange home detention, post bond or apply a monitoring device, then demand payment and personal information to “process” the release. Officials confirm all such claims are fraudulent.
Law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone for releases from custody. Legitimate bonds and court fees go through the court system only. The tri-county alert highlights the growing sophistication of these operations, including spoofed caller IDs that mimic official law enforcement numbers, use of authoritative titles and creation of urgency to prompt quick action.
This “Get Them Out of Jail” tactic preys on fear and family concern, a pattern seen in past Southern Maryland alerts about impersonation scams. Residents across the region, where tight-knit communities often share news of arrests or emergencies, remain prime targets for such fraud.
The joint statement stresses immediate protective steps. Do not send money or share personal details. Hang up right away. Contact the person in question directly through known numbers. Verify any claim by calling the detention center or court using only publicly listed official phone numbers, never those supplied by the caller.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call or suspecting victimization should report it promptly to their local sheriff’s office. Reports help track patterns and protect neighbors.
In St. Mary’s County, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Anonymous tips can go to text 847411 starting the message with “SMCSO” followed by the tip, online at www.FirstSheriff.com/tips or through the SMCSO mobile app.
Calvert County residents reach the Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800. Submit anonymous tips via the Sheriff’s Office App at the provided link or email CCSOtips@calvertcountymd.gov.
In Charles County, call 301-932-2222. Anonymous tips go to Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or the Crime Solvers website.
For any immediate emergency, dial 911 without hesitation.
Southern Maryland’s three counties continue coordinated public safety efforts against rising phone and digital fraud. Past warnings from the same agencies covered email payment scams and text-based court impersonations, showing a persistent threat environment. Officials urge vigilance year-round, especially as families stay connected across the region’s waterways and small towns.
The alert arrives amid broader Maryland efforts to combat financial crimes targeting older adults and families. By sharing verified contact channels and clear verification protocols, the sheriffs’ offices aim to empower residents to respond safely and report effectively.
Community awareness remains the strongest defense. Families should discuss these scams openly, establish trusted verification methods for unexpected calls and treat any unsolicited request for money or information as suspect until proven otherwise through official channels.
This coordinated warning reinforces that legitimate authorities never pressure residents for immediate payments over the phone. Staying calm, hanging up and double-checking directly protects both finances and personal data in Southern Maryland communities.
