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 trying to steal your money.
The Sheriff’s Office became aware of the phone scam today and we are aware that one individual fell victim to the scam. The individual caller claimed to be “Sgt. Brooks” of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He told the woman she missed a court date and she owed $500 and must pay the money or she would be arrested. The woman sent the caller $500 via a cash app. The woman reported that the call came from (865)273-5000 which is the Sheriff’s Office main line, but criminals use digital tech tools to “spoof” legitimate phone numbers as a way of making it appear the call is coming from an actual business. The Sheriff’s Office also does not employ a “Sgt. Brooks.” These scammers often ask to be paid by way of information from a Green Dot Visa card or other similar payments.
Please do not become a victim of this criminal activity. If you receive a call from any individual who claims to be “Sgt. Brooks” of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, hang up. Employees of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call an individual to tell them they have unpaid fines, or that they will be arrested if they do not show up for jury duty or that they are in contempt of court. We will NOT call an individual and tell them they have an outstanding warrant for their arrest and that 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 the call will never be to ask for money or to harass an individual about missing a court date. If you ever suspect you are being scammed, please call the non-emergency number at Blount County Dispatch to report it. The non-emergency dispatch number is (865)983-3620.
Many people are not on social media, so please share this information with your loved ones and friends who may not be plugged into social media.
Original source can be found here
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