Cookeville, TN – The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a surge in phone scams targeting locals with false jury duty claims.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, callers are impersonating deputies or court officials and telling victims they have missed jury duty. The scammers then claim there is an active arrest warrant that can only be resolved by paying a fine over the phone.
Authorities say these calls are fraudulent and should be ignored. “We will never contact you by phone asking you for money,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a public statement Wednesday morning.
The department has seen a noticeable uptick in such reports in recent weeks. Residents are urged to hang up immediately if they receive one of these calls and to avoid providing personal or financial information.
Anyone who has been contacted by a suspected scammer is asked to report the incident to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (931) 528-8484.
Officials also recommend verifying any court-related notices directly with the local courthouse or sheriff’s office before taking action. Jury duty notifications are typically issued by mail, not by phone or text.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the origin of the scam calls and reminds residents that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment to clear a warrant.
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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