How do you choose a bail bond company? Although there are plenty of reputable bail bond agents in the state, it’s important to avoid bail bond scams. Savvy customers know to avoid red flags when picking a bail bond company—after all, it’s your property and a loved one’s freedom at stake.

Here’s how to avoid bail bond scams.

Avoid these mistakes

When choosing a bail bond company, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here’s what to avoid:

• Choosing the lowest bidder: Like any business, the company with the best prices might not be the right one for your needs. Before you select a bail bond agent, make sure that you understand all the terms, conditions and exceptions. This includes their fees as well as the rest of the information in this article.
• Picking a company with unclear policies: If a bail bond agent refuses to tell you how their services work, what their policies are and what you can expect from working with them, move on to another candidate. The last thing you need is to sign over your money or assets to a company that isn’t clear about how they operate.
• Choosing someone with poor availability: Arrests can happen any time of day or night. You need a bail bond company that will be available 24/7 to help get your loved one out of jail.
• Failing to research: Just like you’d research a lawyer, plumber or doctor, you should also research bail bond Check online review sites and the Better Business Bureau to learn more about their policies and practices.
• Working with someone inexperienced: Ask how much experience the company has before you sign on the dotted line. For example, a newer company might be fine if everyone there already has a decade of experience with the bail bond process; otherwise, opt for an established company.

Find out the answers to these questions

As you keep an eye out for red flags when picking a bail bond company, ask these questions:

• Who is issuing the bond: Watch out for bail bond agents who represent themselves as police officers. Police are never involved in the bail process. The only people involved are the bail bond agent, the judge and the person paying the bond.
• When the bond is issued: In some areas, the bail bond amount is set at the time of arrest and booking. In other cases, you might have to wait until the defendant is arraigned by a judge. If your loved one already has a lawyer, they can help you find out what to expect.
• Where the bond will be signed: Finally, the bail bond should either be signed at the jail or the bond agent’s office. Never trust someone who comes to your home, especially before you can vet their business—this is a red flag when picking a bail bond company.

Now that you know how to choose a bail bond company—and the red flags to avoid—call Brazoria County Bail Bonds today. Our reputation and experience speaks for itself, but we’ll be happy to answer any and all of your questions.