Beware of Bad Bail Bond Companies
When you need to get a friend or family member out of jail, you will undoubtedly begin looking into getting a bail bond. After all, why would you pay the full bail amount to the court when you could pay only 10% to a bail bond company? It is a pretty easy decision for most people to use a bail bond company. However, finding a good bail bond company can be difficult.
There are hundreds of bail bond companies across the state of California. Some of them, like Tulare Bail Bond Store, are pretty great while others, are completely horrible. We have heard stories over the years of some of underhanded tactics that some of our competitors employ to trick their clients. Unfortunately, because of this, people need to be careful when picking a bail bond company.
One of the best ways to tell if a bail bond company is a good one to work with is by looking at customer reviews online. Previous clients will be more than happy to tell potential clients if a company wronged them. You can also try looking the company up on the California Department of Insurance’s (DOI) website. More serious complaints against bail bond companies are filled through the DOI.
A common practice we have heard that our competitors like to do is this: they lure clients in with an extremely low down payment. The client signs the contract, thereby agreeing to the terms, and makes the first payment. Their loved one is released and all is right in the world for about a day. The next day, the bail bond company calls asking for more money that the client does not have, and the client has to pay or else their loved one will be placed back in jail. In this situation, there is nothing the client can do but pay the company because they signed the contract.
Another scam that we have heard about, is bail agents bailing people out of jail without being asked. These bad bail bondsmen would bail someone out of jail without being asked to, then charge the person for being bailed out of jail. Fortunately, this one is easier to argue against since no contract was ever signed.
It is sad to say that there are bail bond companies out there that would take advantage of people in need. Luckily, we never take advantage of our clients here at Tulare Bail Bond Store. We want to help our clients, without making them empty their wallets and bank accounts. You can count on our caring bail agents to take care of you in your time of need.