When someone says they’re incarcerated and needs money fast, it can hit you in the heart and in the nerves. Maybe it’s a new pen pal, a dating match, or a “friend of a friend” who suddenly has a crisis. The story might sound believable, and the pressure can feel intense.
Here’s the safe truth: never send money until you can independently confirm the person is actually in custody and the request makes sense. A good inmate scam check is less about “trust issues” and more like checking the address before you mail a check.
Below is a quick fraud check routine you can do in about 10 to 15 minutes, plus the exact questions to ask and what the answers must match.
Scammers know what works: urgency, emotion, and confusion. These scammers may send blurry “release papers,” a screenshot of a roster, or a “message from the facility.” Treat all of that as unverified. Images are easy to fake, and even real documents can be stolen from someone else’s case.
A strong rule: your confirmation can’t come from the person asking for money. It must come from an official locator, an official phone number, or an official payment portal.
Also watch for high-pressure payment methods. These are major red flags. If they push gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers that can’t be reversed, that’s a flashing red light. Government agencies don’t demand payment that way, and correctional systems usually have named vendors and clear rules. Scammers also use fake check scams and overpayment scams to trick victims into using their own bank account to move funds. The Federal Trade Commission has documented these tactics.
Fraudsters also impersonate staff. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has warned about phone scams where callers pretend to be BOP employees and request money for “services” or “placement.” If you want a solid baseline for what those scams can look like, read the BOP’s notice on phone scams impacting incarcerated individuals.
State consumer offices have been warning about similar schemes aimed at families and friends of incarcerated people. Massachusetts, for example, has a clear public warning from the AG’s office about scams targeting friends and family of incarcerated people.
One more reality check: real incarcerated people can still be manipulated by scammers on the outside, or pressured by other incarcerated people. So even if the person is truly locked up, the money request can still be part of a scam. Verification is step one, not the finish line.
This routine is built for speed. Set a timer, grab a notepad, and do it in order. Don’t argue with the claimant while you check, just pause and verify.
Get the exact identifiers (1 to 2 minutes)
Ask for full legal name (including middle name), date of birth, and one of these: inmate ID number, DOC number, or booking number. Also ask for the facility name and city. If they “don’t know” any of these, slow down. Most incarcerated people know at least one ID number or can get it.
Use an official inmate locator (3 to 6 minutes)
Start with your state’s corrections website. If you don’t know where to find it, use the official directory of state departments of corrections and click through to the correct agency.
If the person says they’re in a county jail (not state prison), use the sheriff or county site roster. For example, Cook County provides an official Locate an Inmate tool. Your county may have a similar “inmate search” or “jail roster” page.
What you’re looking for is basic confirmation: name match, age or DOB match, custody status, and current facility.
Use this quick comparison:
| If they claim… | What should match | Red flag if… |
|---|---|---|
| “I’m in county jail” | Booking number, booking date, jail roster entry | They only provide a “DOC number” and no booking info |
| “I’m in state prison” | State DOC locator entry, DOC number | They can’t name the facility or state agency |
| “I need money for calls/commissary” | Facility-approved vendor and rules | They insist on gift cards, crypto, or “my cousin’s Cash App” |
If the inmate or an associate provides a check as reimbursement or payment, take time to verify a check first. Inspect it for security features, such as watermarks typical of official bank checks or cashier’s checks. Avoid the risks of depositing a check from an unverified source, as it could bounce or lead to further scams.
Once you’ve done the basic lookup, ask questions that a real person in custody can answer consistently. You’re not interrogating them, you’re checking whether the details line up.
“Before I send anything, I need to confirm details for my records. What’s your full legal name, date of birth, and your inmate ID or booking number? Which facility are you at (name and city), and what’s your housing unit or dorm? What county is your case in, and what’s the case number?”
Some requests are common, but still need strict boundaries.
If they say it’s for bail, don’t send money to them or their “friend,” especially if a bail scammer pushes for a wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram. Bail is handled through the court and approved channels. If they say it’s for a lawyer, watch for a lawyer scammer; ask for the attorney’s full name and office number, then independently verify the firm and call the number you find yourself (not the one they texted).
If anyone threatens you (“pay now or I’ll be stuck,” “my cellmate will hurt me,” “the officer said you must”), stop. Pressure is a tool.
Finally, protect your own identity. Don’t share your Social Security number, bank login, card photos, or verification codes. Don’t mail cash, and be wary of money orders or checks, which mimic patterns in mystery shopping scams or fake check scams. To spot forged routing numbers or counterfeit checks, examine the issuing bank, routing number, and MICR line closely; to verify a check, call the bank directly. If you do send funds after verifying, use official portals only and keep receipts.
Sending support to someone who’s incarcerated can be a kind, human thing, but verification comes first. Confirm custody through official locators, confirm the story matches public basics, then use only official payment routes. Beware of fake check scams from a scammer who sends you a check to deposit into your bank account; if it bounces with insufficient funds after you withdraw cash for the inmate, you are responsible for the money. Keep records, and don’t let urgency make decisions for you.
If you believe you’ve been targeted or already paid a scammer, consider reporting the fraud to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Federal Trade Commission, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Jail and prison procedures vary by state and county, so always follow the rules published by the specific facility and corrections agency involved.
