Cumberland County, TN – The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a growing jury duty phone scam where callers impersonate local law enforcement officials using spoofed phone numbers—including the department’s own line—to demand fake fines.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are pretending to be officers such as Lt. Gary Howard, Sgt. Dustin Jackson, and Chief Jerry Jackson. Victims are told they missed a federal jury duty summons and must pay a “bond” of up to $3,000 to avoid immediate arrest.
Officials say these scammers often ask victims to buy prepaid or cryptocurrency cards and share the codes over the phone. They may also request personal or financial information.
“We do not call residents to demand payment or personal details,” the Sheriff’s Office emphasized. “We never ask for money to resolve legal matters.”
Authorities warn that scammers may display the Sheriff’s Office number—(931) 484-6176—to appear legitimate. They often use names, badge numbers, and official-sounding language to gain trust.
Residents are urged to hang up immediately, avoid sharing information, and report suspicious calls to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Sheriff Casey Cox reminded residents: “If you ever receive a suspicious call, trust your instincts and contact us directly before taking any action.”
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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