Missouri attorney general warns of scam targeting families of Christian County inmates

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about a phone scam targeting family members of individuals incarcerated at the Christian County Jail.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, reports indicate a caller is falsely claiming to be an employee of the Missouri Department of Corrections and telling family members their relative qualifies for a work release treatment program. The caller then allegedly requests upfront payment to secure a spot in the program.

Hanaway said the scam exploits families during a vulnerable time and urged anyone who receives such a call to report it.

The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that the Missouri Department of Corrections does not require offenders or their families to pay for jobs or job training programs.

An investigation into the scam is underway. Residents who believe they have been contacted by the scammer are encouraged to call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or file a report online at ago.mo.gov.