The policy change affects only online and mobile app postings, blocking scammers from accessing fresh booking data to exploit families while their loved ones sit in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center on Leeds Avenue.

“Most individuals brought to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center remain in our care for less than 24 hours,” sheriff’s spokesperson Lexi Douglas said. “Those hours are critical in preventing scammers from exploiting families during a vulnerable time.”

The move comes after the sheriff’s office investigated approximately 188 fraud and suspicious circumstance reports between October 2024 and October 2025. Eight of those cases involved jail bail scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement and demand immediate payment for bail or fees.

Since the delay took effect, the office has received no reports of bail scams.

Booking information remains available to the public at the detention center lobby, where staff post a printed list daily at 9 a.m. next to the visitor’s log. The office will not provide copies of the list.

The fraudulent calls typically involve scammers posing as deputies or other law enforcement officers, telling panicked family members they must pay money immediately to secure a loved one’s release. The scheme has hit communities nationwide across multiple law enforcement administrations.

“We are proud that the staff at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has brainstormed a way to find some relief for a small part of this problem,” the office said. “We hope to be a model for other agencies.”

The sheriff’s office emphasized that it will never call residents to request money for bail or any other reason.

Older adults have proven particularly vulnerable to scams, but the schemes target all ages. Law enforcement officials warn of several other common frauds:

Government impersonation scams involve fake calls from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or police claiming identity theft, outstanding warrants, or missed jury duty. Tech support scams use pop-ups or calls falsely claiming a computer is infected. Phishing emails appear to come from banks or government agencies directing people to suspicious links.

Romance and friendship scams build emotional trust through online relationships before requesting money. The grandparent scam involves a caller impersonating a grandchild in trouble, sometimes using artificial intelligence to mimic their voice.

The sheriff’s office encourages residents to follow three steps when they suspect a scam: Rethink if a call causes panic or fear, slow down and think critically. Refuse to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment apps. Research by hanging up and independently verifying by calling an official number.

Residents should avoid sending money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps like Zelle or Venmo, wire transfers or cash couriers. They should never grant remote access to computers or devices, nor share personal information such as Social Security or Medicare numbers.

Those who believe they have been targeted or victimized by a scam can report to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 843-202-1700, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-922-1594, or Adult Protective Services’ 24-hour hotline at 1-888-227-3487.

Federal reporting options include the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

The sheriff’s office urges residents to report scams even if no money was lost, as this helps federal agencies track patterns and protect others in the community.