Today in TechInmate exploits jail phone glitch, makes enough money to post bail
We've seen glitches in prison computer systems let inmates out early, but this might be the first time a loophole has been exploited to raise money to pay bail. The system that controls inmate accounts at Florida's Lake County Jail allowed one inmate to raise over $1,250 in just a few hours, which he used to post bail and walk free.
Serving time on property crime charges, inmate Larry Stone discovered that when paying for a call using the jail's phone system, double the money would be returned if the call went unanswered. After noticing the glitch — which stemmed from a refund system that pays back charges for incomplete calls — Stone spent hours placing high-dollar calls. By dialing international numbers and then hanging up before anyone could answer, Stone netted up to $47 per call.
After posting bail — and apparently telling a few other inmates the trick — the prison's phone lines began to light up with other convicts trying to cash in. Eventually, the prison's IT department took notice, but not before over 250 other inmates racked up large sums of free money. After learning that the prison discovered the glitch, Stone turned himself back in. He now faces additional charges including grand theft and scheming with the intent to defraud.
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