How to Handle “Urgent” Calls from the Bossier Sheriff’s Office

It is a new low for local cyber-criminals. Sheriff Julian Whittington and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office (BPSO) are issuing an urgent warning to the community about a sophisticated scam that targets people while they are already down.

How the Scam Works

Scam artists are now monitoring online booking information to identify individuals who have recently been arrested. They then use this public data to contact the relatives of those in custody.

Posing as law enforcement officers, these scammers claim they can "reduce a bond" or "arrange an immediate release" if a payment is sent right away, often via apps or wire transfers. Because the scammers have the correct names and details from the booking logs, the calls can sound frighteningly legitimate to a worried family member.

A Message from Sheriff Whittington

Sheriff Whittington is emphasizing one critical fact to keep you safe: The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office will never call you to request money to reduce a bond or secure someone’s release.

What To Do If You Get The Call

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with BPSO asking for money:

Do Not Send Money: No matter how urgent they make it sound, do not provide payment.

Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the caller.

Verify the Facts: If you are uncertain about a loved one's status, contact the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office directly at (318) 965-2203.

Help us protect our neighbors by sharing this information. Don’t let a scammer turn a difficult family situation into a financial disaster.