Sheriff’s offices warn of impersonation scam targeting Tennessee residents

From Local 3 News: Sheriff’s offices across Southeast Tennessee are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as deputies and demand money to avoid arrest.

Grundy, Hamilton, Polk, and McMinn County Sheriff’s offices are among the law enforcement agencies that say scammers are targeting residents with threats of jail time and fake warrants.

One victim, Athens resident Kathy Wilson, said what started as a normal Tuesday quickly turned into a financial nightmare.

Wilson said she received a call from someone claiming to be a deputy with the McMinn County Sheriff's Department. The caller told her there was a warrant for her arrest for missing grand jury duty.

“He said that he had a warrant for my arrest, and I’m like, ‘For what?’ And he said, ‘For missing grand jury,’” Wilson said. “I said, ‘I didn’t miss grand jury. I didn’t know I was supposed to be on the grand jury.’”

The caller gave Wilson two options: face up to 90 days in jail or pay $1,500 to resolve the warrant.

“My record is squeaky clean,” she said. “If this is truly me, then something fell through the cracks, but I’ll fix it. I just don’t want to go to jail.” She said the caller repeatedly warned her she would be arrested if she did not comply, which left her terrified.

Wilson said the scammer sent her what appeared to be a legitimate warrant with her name on it and instructed her to stay on the phone while she drove to a gas station in Cleveland to make a payment.

“Every penny that I had — he drained my savings account and my bank account down,” Wilson said. “I have got 20 bucks left to my name.”

She said she was directed to deposit the money through a Bitcoin machine.

McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said cryptocurrency kiosks are commonly used in scams.

“Those are notorious for being used in scams,” Guy said. “The Sheriff’s Association here in Tennessee is pursuing some legislation to maybe even ban those machines from local stores.”

Authorities stress that residents should never provide money or personal information over the phone to someone claiming to be in law enforcement.

“Never be afraid to hang the phone up and call your local police or sheriff’s department just to make sure that that’s the case,” Guy said. “You’re never going to be fined or arrested for missing court.”

Carol Scandale, vice president of the Better Business Bureau, echoed that warning.

“Law enforcement is never going to call you and demand money over the phone,” Scandale said.

She added that legitimate agencies will not pressure people to stay on the line.

“You have the right to hang up. You have the right to block that call and not respond, and that’s what we always encourage people to do,” Scandale said.

Wilson said she hopes sharing her story will prevent others from becoming victims.

“I don’t want another person to have to lose everything they’ve saved for,” she said.

Similar scams are being reported in other parts of the state. Officials urge residents to stay informed and check in with friends and family members who may be vulnerable.