Kane County Officials Alert Public to Inmate Release Scam

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued a warning about a scam targeting families of those incarcerated in the Kane County jail. Scammers are allegedly calling the families and falsely claiming that a $2,000 retainer fee is needed for an inmate’s release, according to a recent statement.

Authorities emphasized that neither the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office nor the Kane County Sheriff’s Office will ever ask for money directly from individuals. Officials noted that Illinois does not employ a cash bail system.

The State’s Attorney’s Office cautions that even if a caller knows an inmate’s full name or other personal details, the call could still be fraudulent. Access to the names of individuals held in the county jail is public information and can be accessed by anyone.

To protect the public, the office advises anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up and directly contact the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office at 630-232-3500 to verify the legitimacy of the request.