Ventura County Release from custody Scam Warning:
Family Loses $1,000 to Fake Ankle Monitor Release
A family recently walked into our office after already going through one of the most stressful experiences imaginable: a loved one had been arrested and was sitting inside the Ventura County Jail.
But by the time they found 2 Trees Bail Bonds, their situation had become even worse.
They had already lost $1,000 to someone they believed was connected to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
We’re sharing their story because families need to know these scams exist—and because a few minutes spent verifying who you’re dealing with could potentially save you thousands of dollars.
The Family Received a Convincing Phone Call
The family received a call from an individual who claimed to be associated with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the family, they were told their loved one could be released through an ankle-monitoring program without having to deal with the full bail amount.
The cost?
$1,000.
For a family desperately trying to get someone they love out of jail, that can sound like an incredible solution.
That’s exactly what makes a situation like this so dangerous.
They Paid $500 at CVS—Then Were Told to Pay Again
The family followed the caller’s instructions and went to a local CVS, where they paid $500.
Then they received another call.
They were told there had been a problem with the first payment and that they needed to make another transaction.
This time, they went to a 7-Eleven and paid another $500.
Total paid: $1,000.
They believed they had just paid what was required to get their loved one released.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t.
They Arrived at Ventura County Jail and Discovered It Was a Scam
The family came to the Ventura County Jail expecting the release process to move forward.
Instead, they discovered that the payments they had made were not connected to their loved one’s legitimate release.
The $1,000 was gone, and their loved one was still in custody.
Now they had two problems.
They were trying to help someone they loved get out of jail, and they had just been victimized by someone who took advantage of that stressful situation.
That’s When They Found 2 Trees Bail Bonds on Google
After discovering what happened, the family searched Google for help and found 2 Trees Bail Bonds.
They called us and explained the situation.
Understandably, after what they had just experienced, they were extremely cautious.
We offer online bail bond services, but this family made one thing very clear:
They didn’t want to do anything else online.
They wanted to meet the person helping them.
They wanted to see a real office.
They wanted to know exactly who they were dealing with before giving anyone more information or money.
And there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Sometimes You Need to Sit Next To Someone
That’s one of the reasons maintaining a local office is important to us.
The family came directly to our office at 950 County Square Drive in Ventura, near the Ventura County Jail.
They were able to walk through the doors, meet us face-to-face and see that they were dealing with an established local bail bond company.
Most importantly, we could slow everything down and explain what was actually happening.
After everything they had just experienced, there was no reason to pressure them.
They needed answers.
They needed transparency.
And they needed to feel comfortable with the process again.
We were able to explain the legitimate bail process, complete the bond with the family and help move their loved one’s release forward.
Why These Scams Can Be So Effective
Scammers understand something very important:
An arrest makes families vulnerable.
When someone you love is unexpectedly arrested, you’re trying to process a tremendous amount of information at once.
Where are they?
What are the charges?
How much is bail?
When can they get out?
Who do I call?
How do I pay?
A person who calls at exactly that moment and appears to have answers can sound convincing—especially when they claim to represent law enforcement or another official organization.
That’s why families should be extremely careful about sending money based solely on an incoming phone call.
Before Paying for Someone’s Release, Verify Everything
If someone contacts you demanding money related to a loved one’s release from jail, stop and verify the information independently.
Don’t simply call back the number that contacted you.
Verify the person’s custody status through legitimate sources. Contact the jail or law-enforcement agency using independently verified contact information. You can also contact a licensed bail bond company and ask them to help verify the custody and bail information.
Be especially cautious if you’re being pressured to act immediately or instructed to make unusual payments at retail stores or through payment methods that are difficult to reverse.
Being told something is urgent doesn’t mean you should skip verification.
Online Bail Bonds Are Convenient—But You Should Always Have Options
Technology has made it possible for legitimate bail bonds to be handled remotely.
At 2 Trees Bail Bonds, we offer online services because sometimes a family member lives hours away, is out of state or simply wants to complete everything from home.
But online shouldn’t be your only option.
If you’re uncomfortable, you should be able to ask questions.
If you want to speak with someone, you should be able to call.
And if you want to meet your bail agent face-to-face before moving forward, that’s exactly why we maintain a local Ventura office.
You should never feel pressured into completing a bail bond in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
How Do You Know You’re Talking to a Legitimate Bail Bond Company?
Do your homework before handing over money or personal information.
Look for an established business presence. Read independent customer reviews. Verify licensing when appropriate. Look at how long the company has been operating and whether you can actually speak with someone who can explain the process.
2 Trees Bail Bonds has built its reputation through helping local families, earning hundreds of five-star Google reviews and maintaining an established local presence.
We’re also accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Those things matter when you’re trying to determine whether the person on the other end of the phone is someone you can trust.
Not Sure If a Bail Call Is Legitimate? Call Us
You don’t have to hire us just to ask a question.
If your loved one has been arrested in Ventura County and something about a phone call, payment request or release offer doesn’t feel right, reach out and get credible information before sending money.
2 Trees Bail Bonds
950 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA
24/7: (805) 855-2245
We can help you understand the custody and bail process so you can make an informed decision.
Because when your family is already dealing with an arrest, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether the person offering to help you is actually trying to take advantage of you.
This article describes a past client experience for general informational purposes. Every criminal case and bail determination is different. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 2 Trees Bail Bonds and its bail agents are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice.
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The faster you call, the faster we can act. We’ll confirm the arrest, explain your options, and get to work.
We’re available 24/7 and ready to move.