Scammers have found a new low in Tennessee, targeting families with relatives in jail with a sophisticated shakedown. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning regarding these con artists, impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. According to a social media post by the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, callers are falsely identifying themselves as "Deputy Belfore" and "Sgt. Jesse Black" from the Pre-Trial Division, demanding payments for ankle monitors and fees for classes that don't actually exist.
With these scammers on the prowl, the authorities urge the community to stay vigilant, the sheriff's office has outlined clear markers of this scam—the request for immediate payment over the phone, particularly through untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or electronic payment apps, it's the sheriff's office stance that they will never ask for money in this manner. Citing the official notice, scammers are exploiting the vulnerability of those with incarcerated loved ones, creating a false sense of urgency and authority which may cause panic and lead individuals to comply without questioning the legitimacy of the request.
For those who might encounter this predatory behavior, the guidelines are straightforward: hang up immediately if you receive such a call, and do not engage in any conversation that involves personal or financial information. The sheriff's office emphasizes that any legitimate contact regarding someone in custody would follow formal and transparent procedures, not unsolicited phone calls asking for money. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of such calls or has fallen prey to this scam is encouraged to report the incident to the sheriff's office.
