The Blount County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning against a fresh wave of criminal phone scammers, who are preying on citizens by impersonating law enforcement officials. In a public alert, the scammers are accused of making fraudulent claims such as outstanding warrants, missed jury duty, or the need for bond money for incarcerated loved ones. According to a social media post from the Sheriff's Office, the callers attempt to extort thousands of dollars from victims through various means, including credit cards, gift cards, and even bitcoin.
These deceivers have stooped to using the names of actual employees within the Sheriff's Office to lend credence to their claims. The Sheriff's Office has stated emphatically that these calls are not legitimate and representatives will never request payment for legal matters over the phone. Despite multiple warnings previously shared, one individual was reported to have been scammed out of more than $1,000. The crooks have been known to employ number spoofing technologies to make the calls appear official.
Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong is urging the public to be vigilant and to protect their personal data. The scammers' tactics include threats of arrest and fines if their demands are not met. However, the Sheriff's Office has made it crystal clear: "Sheriff's deputies and personnel may call individuals about routine business, but you will NEVER call to tell someone they are wanted on an outstanding warrant and be asked to provide payment," as per their official communication.
To further shield themselves from these scams, citizens are advised not to pick up calls from numbers they don't recognize, to consider using a spam blocking app on their phones, and to register their number on the national "do not call" registry. The efforts to combat these fraudulent activities are ongoing, and residents are implored to never provide payment information over the phone to unfamiliar sources that solicit and threaten. As part of their outreach, law enforcement is asking the community to share this alert, especially with those who may not be active on social media platforms.
