PENOBSCOT COUNTY, Maine — The Penobscot County Jail has identified a scam in which callers impersonating as officials request money from inmates’ families in exchange for their release.

The scam is similar to previous ones, where individuals impersonate as local law enforcement to collect payment for fines or warrants , according to a social media post from the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office.

The post reminds people that jail officials will never call and ask for money to release an inmate into a separate program. There are no existing programs to allow the release of inmates in exchange for cash.

Calls or messages requesting payment for fines, fees, bail, or release—including through Venmo, PayPal, or gift cards—are likely scams, the post said.

To protect yourself from fraud, s

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