ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of a new scam circulating around the holidays targeting families of inmates.

RPSO said family members of inmates at the Rapides Parish Detention Center were contacted by someone claiming to be a bondsman.

The scammer will say they’re trying to help the inmate get out of jail by putting them on an ankle monitor, asking for Walmart gift cards in exchange. The scammer will then text their targets, asking for a bar code for the gift card. They insist everything will be handled electronically and once the transaction is complete, the inmate can be picked up.

RPSO said families have even driven to the courthouse to wait for their loved one, who is not being released. Victims have lost over $2,500 in this scam so

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