Beware of Scams Impersonating Sheriff's Deputies

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENN. – Residents are being warned of two separate scams involving individuals posing as local sheriff's deputies to extort money.

In the first incident, scammers used the fake name of Chief Sheriff's Deputy Mike Lee to threaten a woman with arrest for allegedly failing to perform jury duty. The scammers informed her she would have to pay a fine and that deputies would come to her home to compare signatures. They even said she would be arrested if she showed up at the sheriff's office. Fortunately, the woman did not fall for the scam and instead reported the call to the sheriff's office. Officials emphasize that sheriff's deputies do not threaten people who default on jury duty or demand money in such cases. If you receive such a call, simply hang up and report it to law enforcement.

In another case, a resident received three calls from someone using the name Reginald Hall, claiming to be from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. The caller insisted he needed to speak with the resident about an urgent legal matter. The Sheriff's Office has confirmed that no employee named Reginald Hall exists within its department. This is another tactic scammers use to intimidate individuals into giving them money.

Officials remind residents that the Sheriff's Office does not call residents asking for money, for any reason. To protect yourself, do not interact with these callers. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report the incident to the Sheriff's Office.