Hawkins County, TN – The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies and demand money for allegedly missing jury duty.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers continue to call citizens using the names of actual officers, leading to confusion and concern among residents. Officials emphasized in a social media post this week that no one from the department is calling people to collect fines or fees related to jury service.
The department first issued a warning in mid-September, but recent reports prompted them to repost the alert Wednesday morning, noting that the fraudulent calls “haven’t stopped.”
Authorities say the scammers often use intimidation tactics, such as threats of arrest, to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or digital payment apps. The Sheriff’s Office advises anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and report it to local law enforcement.
Residents are reminded that legitimate jury duty notifications or penalties are handled through official court channels — never over the phone or through personal payment requests.
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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