Hawkins County, TN – Residents are being urged to stay alert after reports of scammers impersonating members of the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office in phone calls made this week, authorities say.
According to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting residents by phone and falsely claiming they missed jury duty or have an active warrant for their arrest. Victims are allegedly told they must immediately send money to avoid being jailed.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call and demand payment over the phone, regardless of the situation. Officials say scammers may spoof phone numbers to make it appear the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office and may even use the real names of deputies or staff to sound convincing.
Authorities are advising anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and not provide any personal or financial information. Residents are also encouraged to report scam attempts directly to local law enforcement so patterns can be tracked and public warnings issued.
“These scams rely on fear and urgency,” officials said, noting that scammers often pressure victims to act quickly before they have time to verify the information.
The warning applies across Hawkins County, including communities such as Rogersville, Church Hill, and Mount Carmel, and may affect residents throughout Northeast Tennessee.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to share the warning with family members, especially seniors and vulnerable individuals who are often targeted in phone-based scams.
Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of a call claiming to be from law enforcement should contact the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office directly using an official phone number listed on its website.
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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