Maryville, TN – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong is alerting residents to a persistent phone scam involving fake calls about “ankle monitor fees.” The Sheriff’s Office says scammers are impersonating deputies and contacting family members of people who were recently arrested, claiming that thousands of dollars are required for an ankle monitor release.
According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, several residents have already lost money to this fraud. Officials emphasized that deputies never contact family members to discuss ankle monitor costs or payment. Communication regarding monitoring devices is handled only between law enforcement and the individual who was arrested.
Investigators believe the scammers are using publicly available jail information from the Sheriff’s Office website and app to identify potential targets. The department has issued multiple warnings about this ongoing scam, urging residents to stay cautious and report any suspicious calls directly to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s deputies stressed that they will never request payment by phone, nor ask for gift cards, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency. Any such request is fraudulent. Residents are advised to hang up immediately and confirm the caller’s legitimacy by contacting the department directly.
Officials are encouraging the public to share this warning with friends and family who may not use social media.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
