Multnomah Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

MCSO Warns Public Of Jail Release Scam Targeting Families Of Adults In Custody - 12/11/25

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is warning the public about scams targeting friends and family members of adults in custody.  

 

Scammers are falsely claiming they can secure someone’s immediate release from jail in exchange for online payments, wire transfers, gift cards, or other forms of money transfers.  

 

“Release decisions are governed by Oregon law and the courts,” said MCSO Chief Deputy Stephen Reardon, who manages MCSO’s Corrections Division. “If someone is on the phone claiming to be a law enforcement member and asking you for money, you’re on the phone with someone trying to steal from you, not help you. It’s perfectly acceptable to hang up the phone.” 

 

The MCSO wants the community to know that there is no legal method – none – by which any person can obtain the release of an adult in custody by sending money to a private party, paying online through non-authorized third-party websites, or transferring funds to someone who calls claiming to represent law enforcement.  

 

The only two legitimate ways to post bail for an adult in custody are: 

 

  1. Through the official TouchPay Online portal linked directly from MCSO’s website (MCSO Facility #297204), or  

 

  1. In person at the Inverness Jail or the Multnomah County Detention Center.  

 

Everything else is a scam. 

 

No deputy, sergeant, or staff member from MCSO will ever call you and request payment over the phone. We do not negotiate court cases or jail releases. We do not offer discounted release programs. We do not place adults in custody on “GPS release programs” in exchange for payment. We do not collect money for missing jury duty.  

 

These schemes are attempts to exploit fear, confusion, and urgency.  

 

Recently, the Metropolitan Public Defender alerted MCSO to the ongoing prevalence of these scams. We appreciate MPD for notifying us so we can continue to warn the community before more people are victimized. 

 

MCSO has been proactive in educating the public about scam activity and fraud targeting our community including: 

 

 

Anyone who believes they were targeted or scammed is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency and file a report.  

 

Community members can always verify information by calling the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 or 503-988-3689. 

 

MCSO will continue to work with our regional partners to investigate scams when there is credible evidence, warn the public and adults in custody, and protect families from financial victimization.  

 

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MCSO Warns Public Of Jail Release Scam Targeting Families Of Adults In Custody - 12/11/25

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is warning the public about scams targeting friends and family members of adults in custody.  

 

Scammers are falsely claiming they can secure someone’s immediate release from jail in exchange for online payments, wire transfers, gift cards, or other forms of money transfers.  

 

“Release decisions are governed by Oregon law and the courts,” said MCSO Chief Deputy Stephen Reardon, who manages MCSO’s Corrections Division. “If someone is on the phone claiming to be a law enforcement member and asking you for money, you’re on the phone with someone trying to steal from you, not help you. It’s perfectly acceptable to hang up the phone.” 

 

The MCSO wants the community to know that there is no legal method – none – by which any person can obtain the release of an adult in custody by sending money to a private party, paying online through non-authorized third-party websites, or transferring funds to someone who calls claiming to represent law enforcement.  

 

The only two legitimate ways to post bail for an adult in custody are: 

 

  1. Through the official TouchPay Online portal linked directly from MCSO’s website (MCSO Facility #297204), or  

 

  1. In person at the Inverness Jail or the Multnomah County Detention Center.  

 

Everything else is a scam. 

 

No deputy, sergeant, or staff member from MCSO will ever call you and request payment over the phone. We do not negotiate court cases or jail releases. We do not offer discounted release programs. We do not place adults in custody on “GPS release programs” in exchange for payment. We do not collect money for missing jury duty.  

 

These schemes are attempts to exploit fear, confusion, and urgency.  

 

Recently, the Metropolitan Public Defender alerted MCSO to the ongoing prevalence of these scams. We appreciate MPD for notifying us so we can continue to warn the community before more people are victimized. 

 

MCSO has been proactive in educating the public about scam activity and fraud targeting our community including: 

 

 

Anyone who believes they were targeted or scammed is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency and file a report.  

 

Community members can always verify information by calling the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 or 503-988-3689. 

 

MCSO will continue to work with our regional partners to investigate scams when there is credible evidence, warn the public and adults in custody, and protect families from financial victimization.  

 

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