Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong is asking the public to beware of a phone scammer who is posing as a Sheriff’s deputy and harassing citizens with phony phone calls.
The Sheriff’s Office became aware of the phone scam today. One of the names the caller is using is Deputy Brian Ward with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, among others. This call is NOT originating from the Blount County Sheriff's Office, and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office also does not employ anyone by the name of Brian Ward. When the scammer leaves a phone message, he is asking for a return call at (865)268-9819. The caller may also be leaving other phone numbers.
Please do not become a victim of this criminal activity. If you receive a call from someone claiming to work for the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and saying you have unpaid fines or that you’ve missed jury duty, hang up. No employee of the BCSO will EVER call an individual to tell them they have unpaid fines, or that they will be arrested because they missed jury duty. We will NOT call an individual and tell them they have an outstanding warrant for their arrest and they must pay the fine or they will be arrested.
Deputies with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office routinely call citizens regarding Sheriff’s Office business, but it will never be to ask for money. If you ever suspect you are being scammed, you can call (865)273-5000 to verify that the individual is employed with the BCSO.
Please share this information with your family and friends.
Original source can be found here
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