Rutherford County, TN – Residents are being warned today to watch for a phone scam involving callers impersonating the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and making threatening statements.
According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, a retired federal agent recently notified Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh that he received a call claiming deputies were “coming to get him.” The call appeared to come from the sheriff’s office’s official phone number, 615-898-7777, raising immediate concern.
Officials said the agent quickly recognized the call as suspicious and reported it. Sheriff Fitzhugh confirmed the phone number was fraudulently obtained and spoofed by scammers to make the call appear legitimate.
“Sheriff’s Office deputies do not call people and threaten to ‘come and get them,’” Fitzhugh said in a public warning shared by the department.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency will demand compliance, personal information, or immediate action through threatening phone calls. Residents who receive similar calls are urged not to engage with the caller.
Authorities advise anyone who receives a threatening call claiming to be from law enforcement to simply hang up. Residents should not provide personal details, payment information, or attempt to call the number back, as scammers often use sophisticated spoofing techniques to disguise their true location.
The warning applies across Rutherford County and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities, as officials say phone scams frequently target multiple areas once a tactic proves successful.
Residents who believe they may have been targeted or who want to report a scam are encouraged to contact local law enforcement directly using verified phone numbers or visit the sheriff’s office in person.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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