Where there is desperation, people are willing to exploit it. Correctional facilities generate a unique environment for scams targeting both inmates and their families on the outside. This section covers the most common scams operating in and around correctional facilities, including fake bail bondsmen, fraudulent legal services, romance scams targeting families, phone account fraud, commissary manipulation, and the drug-laced mail schemes that have led to facility-wide mail restrictions across the country. Understanding how these scams work is the best protection against them. The guidance here comes from real experience with the criminal justice system and from watching these schemes operate from the inside. If something feels wrong, it probably is. The questions answered in this section help families and inmates identify suspicious situations before they become costly mistakes. See also our sections on Inmate Phone Calls, Send Inmate Mail, and Relationship Issues.