According to a press release from Lehigh County Chief Public Defender Kimberly Makoul, numerous individuals have reported receiving telephone calls from a person claiming to be an attorney with the Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office.

The caller claims the individual’s child/grandchild has been charged with a crime and bail money must be sent to the attorney immediately.

He then directs them to wire the money, often through Walmart, to a third person.

The caller is not from the public defender’s office.

Attorneys from the public defender’s office never collect money from anyone for any reason.

Makoul advises anyone receiving a call requesting money should immediately contact the Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office at 610-782-3157.