Buyer Beware - Bail Bond Tricks and Traps: Learn How to Recognize Them and How to Avoid Them

Families experience a lot of stress when a loved oneand solicit business this way anyway. There can be
is in jail. It's a trying emotional time; they're embarrassed,tension between competing bail bondsmen - as well as
worried about finances, and anxious to get their lovedbetween reputable companies who follow the rules
one out of jail as quickly as possible. That combinationand those who don't.
leaves people vulnerable to a number of bail bondIn the Connecticut bail bond scandal, Mary Casey,
scams and outright fraud.president of the Connecticut State Surety Association,
Don't be caught by one of these schemes. Some canreported that "fights have erupted in court houses"
be costly; most are illegal. The last thing you want is tobetween bail agents trying to solicit the same clients.
have your bail bondsman sharing your cell instead ofEven worse, from an ethical and legal standpoint, is the
bailing you out!practice of paying kickbacks via reduced bail fees to
Be wary if any bail agent approaches you with one ofjail inmates who refer other arrestees to the bail bond
these offers:company. Word of mouth advertising is one thing, but
1. "Psst.... Have I got a deal for you!"this practice is illegal.
Bail agents who charge too littleAny bail agent who does this is in danger of losing his
"Cheap bail bonds" may seem like a good deal, butor her license and could even face felony charges and
they're not. Some bail agents promise "cheap bail" orjail time. Ask yourself: "What kind of business is this
"5% bail" or another amount that's much lower than theperson running that he has people in jail drumming up
10% bail bond premium required by law in most states.business for him?"
A company that offers a cut rate is likely either3. "So, I heard your brother's in jail"
advertising deceptively or blatantly violating the law.Bail agents who solicit business outside the jail.
For instance, if the court sets a bail amount of $25,000,It's illegal to cold call potential clients and solicit business,
the bail premium - the fee that you pay to a bailbut some bail agents do it anyway.
bondsman - is usually 10% of the total, or $2500. YouUnscrupulous agents obtain booking information online
pay that fee to the bail agent, who then promises theand track loved ones via the Internet. When a potential
court that the defendant will show up for courtrelative of an arrestee is identified, the rogue agent
appearances and thus arranges release from jail. Thecalls to offer services. If a bail agent ever calls you on
bail agent keeps the bail premium as a fee forbehalf of someone in jail, find out who called the agent
assuming the liability of the full amount of the bond.with the request. Be suspicious if the agent refuses to
You may see a bail bond company advertise "5% bailtell you or tells you they obtained the information from
bonds" - which would mean a bail bond fee of $1250the police or online.
instead of $2500 on a $25,000 bond. That sounds likeSimply put, in the bail industry, a client must contact a
a great deal over the phone, and we all jump at thebail agent. It is illegal for a bondsman to call and offer
chance to save money.unrequested services. Calling a family member is
Unfortunately, once at the bail agent's office, many areperfectly legal if the defendant contacts the bail
surprised to find out that the bail company will take 5%bondsman first and asks the bondsman to do so. But if
in cash or credit cards as a down payment anda bail agent calls you - and the person in jail didn't call
finance the balance, likely with interest.them first - then the agent is acting illegally. Don't deal
It's a classic "bait and switch." But with a loved onewith that person - he or she may not even be an
sitting in jail and no guarantee that any other bail agentactual bail bondsman.
would act any differently, most people just go aheadThat was the case in a related bail bond scam
and sign the paperwork. This practice isn't illegal, but it isreported in Norfolk, VA. Swindlers called and/or visited
misleading.elderly people and told them that a loved one was in
Many reputable bail bond companies offer financing,jail and needed bail money. The fake bail agents took
often without interest charges, and will arrange thisthe money, promised to get the person out of jail, and
with you in advance, rather than trick you into comingdisappeared.
to their office with false assumptions.And in Houston, TX, another bail bond con artist stood
A practice that is illegal though, is for any bail agent tooutside a bail bond company and intercepted clients.
charge less than the rate established by law. BailHe told them the office was closed, but he could still
agents can lose their license and have their businesseswrite the bond if they paid the bail premium to him in
shut down.cash. Of course, he took the money and disappeared.
The state of Connecticut is currently dealing with a bailUnfortunately, these scams play into the misconception
bond scandal whereby bail bondsmen routinely chargethat people have about the bail bond industry as a
only 2-3% of the bail amount. According to reports,shady, underhanded kind of business. True, some bail
Connecticut judges know this happens and routinelyagents are unethical, but there are thousands of
set very high bail amounts to make up for thehonest bail bond agents. Why deal with someone who
"discounts" being given by bail agents. This raises thecuts corners?
cost for all defendants and undermines faith in theWhile it may seem as though a bail bondsman is
system.offering you a great deal, be careful. Everybody loves
2. "Don't like being in jail? Let me help!"a bargain, but ask yourself why this person is offering
Bail agents who solicit business inside jail lobbies - oran arrangement that's so different from other bail
even jail cells.agents.
As with bail bond pricing, state laws regulate when andResponsible, licensed bail agents work within the
how bail agents can solicit business. Some agentssystem and play by the rules. You can count on them
walk a fine line between flouting and following the rules.to treat you fairly. But if a bail agent doesn't respect
Bail agents are prohibited from hanging out in the jailthe system and follow the law, you probably can't trust
and offering bail services. Some agents ignore this lawthem to treat clients with any more consideration.