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SCAM BLAZING 'BAIL' OF VICTIMS
By ALEX GINSBERG

February 11, 2008 -- In courthouses around the city, con artists are using a simple but heartbreaking scam.

As the relatives of an arrested person try to figure out how to put up bail, a helpful "bondsman" approaches. He uses his cell to "check" on the defendant's bail status. Then he collects his "fee" and vanishes.

Karen Scott's grandson, 20, was held in lieu of $100,000 bond on an assault charge in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Jan. 25. A man calling himself "Joe" approached with a friendly offer. He and the family settled on $5,000 - in cash. He left a business card.

"It must have been 15 minutes later," Scott said. "I tell my daughter, 'Call this number.' "

It was for a bail-bonds office.

No Joe worked there.

We have Bail Bond companies here in Columbus, Ohio that solicits to families that leave the court room when they find out there love one bond.

It supose to be against the law here, but as of yet I have not seen any action around here. Unless you count a slap on the little hand by the Dept. of Insurance.

There is this one company here that has gotten hit twice in 4 months with soliciting in the court house, but only received one fine of $4500.00 and the second time they got hit with $2500.00 in fine. For a Bail Bond company that has been around for twenty some years, that anin't crap for them. Until this day, they are still in the same court house doing the same crap over and over again.

So much for the law here...

_________________
Steve Faircloth
A Way Out Bail Bonds
(220) 204-9733 Cell
NSIN# SF0105
LIC. #704058

It is an insurance violation or a criminal offense? If it is only a insurance code violation, get the law changed to make it a criminal offense also. Then you can get the local DA to prosecute.

IF convicted, then they should lose their license.

Now that is a lot of work but, if you get the courts, DA and other bail agents on board, it can be done.

Tony,

I think it's a criminal offense. Cause if you want to appeal something, it has to go through Court of Common Pleas (Felony Court).

_________________
Steve Faircloth
A Way Out Bail Bonds
(220) 204-9733 Cell
NSIN# SF0105
LIC. #704058

Is he even a bondsman? Anyone can make up business cards to pass out. Sounds like just another scam artist who has found a temporary way to steal from people.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

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