Blount County, Tennessee – The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam involving fake warrant threats and payment demands.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, officials received multiple reports Thursday from residents who said they were contacted by callers claiming to be from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. In the calls, suspects allegedly told victims they had a court summons or an active arrest warrant and demanded payment to resolve the issue.
Authorities said the caller is spoofing the Sheriff’s Office business phone number to make the calls appear legitimate. Officials emphasized that deputies will never call individuals to notify them of an arrest warrant or threaten arrest over the phone if payment is not made.
The Sheriff’s Office also stressed that while deputies may contact residents for routine matters, they will never request money, fees, or payments to clear warrants or legal issues. Any call demanding payment under threat of arrest should be considered fraudulent.
Residents who receive calls of this nature are advised to hang up immediately and not provide personal information or payment. Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of a call claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office is encouraged to contact the office directly using a verified phone number to confirm.
Officials urged residents to share the warning with family members and neighbors, noting that some people may not have access to social media and could be especially vulnerable to scam attempts.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the scam, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Sheriff’s Office said reporting scam calls helps law enforcement track patterns and issue timely public alerts. Residents who believe they were targeted or victimized are encouraged to notify local authorities.
