The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to the public about a sophisticated phone scam that's been ensnaring residents with fraudulent voicemail messages. According to a social media post from Sheriff Tommy Jones, scammers have been targeting individuals by posing as law enforcement officers, using real names of deputies and detectives from the Sheriff's Office, to garner trust and possibly extort money.
One such voicemail, impersonating Lieutenant Billy Littleton, who is an actual lieutenant at the Sheriff's Office, was received by a local resident, as unveiled in the Sheriff's alert. The message states, "This is Lieutenant Billy Littleton attempting to initiate contact with a Ms. (resident’s first/last name). I have a confidential legal matter I need to provide for you that requires your immediate attention. If you could please contact me back at as soon as possible, Ms. (resident’s last name), you can reach me here at 423-415-0594. Thank you." This incident was reported and confirmed in a Facebook post by Sheriff Tommy Jones.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of recognizing this scam and making the distinction between legitimate law enforcement contact and these fraudulent calls. To further deceive potential victims, the scammers leave a callback number that directs to a voicemail message imitating Lieutenant Littleton’s voice. The Sheriff's Office clarified that law enforcement officers would not ask for personal or financial information over the phone, and specifically, they will never request payments or transfers of any kind.
If you receive a suspicious call or voicemail as mentioned, the Sheriff's Office advises to not call the scammer back and to avoid providing any personal or financial information. Instead, citizens are encouraged to hang up immediately and to report the call to the Sheriff's Office at (423) 442-3911 or dial 9-1-1 after business hours. Scammers tend to intensify their activities during this time of year, making it crucial for the community to remain vigilant and cautious.
