Are You Reputable? Four Signs That Show Your Bail Bondsman is a Fake

We see it in the news almost every week – another bail bondsman being arrested for doing something illegal. Whether it’s taking money from unsuspecting clients or bribing people, it gives the bail bond service a bad name. But it does bring up a good point – how do you know if your bail bondsman is reputable?

It’s a good question and one that you should ask any bail bondsman before signing an agreement with them. There are ways of figuring out who is the real deal and who is a little on the shady side. We decided to give you four facts that prove your bail bondsman is the real deal:

• The bail agent charges too little – The words “cheap bail bonds” are thrown into a lot of marketing material for bail bonds. But unfortunately, if you have a pretty big bail set, chances are it’s not going to be cheap. Reputable bail agents generally charge 10 percent for a bond. So, for example, if your loved one’s bail is set at $55,000, you will pay $5,500 for a bond. If you see less and it doesn’t have clear terms as to why so cheap, you may be working with a scam artist.
• The agent calls to ask for money – You should never pay for a bail bond over the phone. If you make arrangements for a bail while over the phone, this could be a sign of something fishy. You should always sign a contract with your bail bondsman before you even give over the money. And by just paying without signing a contract could cost you in the end.
• You receive an unsolicited call from an agent – You just learned that your loved one is in jail. Just before you figure out your next steps, you get a phone call from a bondsman who wants to help you get your loved one out of jail. Or you don’t know your loved one is in jail but a bail agent calls you to let you know. This can be a scam. Hang up the phone and do your research first.
• The agent demands money – You signed a contract and agreed to the set price. If the bondsman suddenly adds more fees or demands the money up front, this is a sign of something’s not right.

If you have a loved one who is jail and need a bail bond, do your research. Andrew Pizzo Bail Bonds is a family-owned business who treats all our clients with dignity and the respect that they deserve. We’re open 24 hours and are ready to help you at a moment’s notice. Contact us today for more information.