Rutherford County, Tennessee – Deputies are warning residents after a county woman was targeted in a phone scam falsely claiming a firearm purchase on her credit card.
According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, scammers posing as JPMorgan Chase representatives called the resident from New York City and claimed she had purchased 14 firearms totaling $2,900. The caller attempted to pressure the woman into taking immediate action.
Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Dougan said the woman did not make the purchase and recognized that the credit card number mentioned by the caller did not match her own. The caller then instructed her to file a police report within two hours, falsely warning that additional fees would be added if she failed to comply.
Deputies said legitimate businesses typically do not require immediate police reports or impose penalties for failing to act within short timeframes. Investigators believe the scam was designed to extract personal information or financial details from the victim.
The resident did not provide any personal information or send money to the caller, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement officials are urging residents to remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming fraudulent purchases, especially those involving threats, urgency, or instructions to contact law enforcement as part of the process.
Anyone who believes they are being targeted by a similar scam is encouraged to contact the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office directly and avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone.
The warning may be especially relevant for young adults and workers who frequently manage accounts digitally and may receive automated fraud alerts.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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