Carter County, TN – The Carter County Sheriff’s Office has issued an urgent warning about a phone scam targeting families and friends of incarcerated individuals. According to deputies, scammers are posing as jail employees and demanding payments to secure a loved one’s release.
Officials said the caller claims a payment is needed for a GPS ankle monitor before an inmate can be released from custody. Victims are instructed to send the money through mobile payment apps such as CashApp or Venmo, or by purchasing gift cards and providing the codes over the phone.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, these calls are fraudulent. The department emphasized that it will never request payments via mobile apps or gift cards under any circumstances.
Authorities are urging residents to hang up immediately if they receive similar calls and to contact local law enforcement to report the incident.
Scams impersonating law enforcement agencies have been on the rise across Tennessee, with many targeting vulnerable families seeking to help detained relatives.
Residents are reminded to verify any claim directly with the Carter County Detention Center before making financial transactions or sharing personal information.
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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