Chief Public Defender Kimberly Makoul has issued a warning regarding reports of individuals receiving telephone calls from a person claiming to be an attorney with the Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office.

The caller claims that the individual’s child/grandchild has been charged with a crime and that bail money must be sent to the attorney immediately. The caller then directs the person to wire the money, often through Walmart, to a third person.

The caller is NOT from the Public Defender’s Office, as LCPD attorneys never collect money from anyone for any reason. Anyone receiving a call requesting money should immediately contact the Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office at 610-782-3157.