Crime & Safety
Cumberland County, TN Scam Alert: Fake Pastor Gift Card Requests
Crossville, TN – Residents in Cumberland County are being warned about an impersonation scam in which someone is allegedly using the name of a local pastor to convince people to purchase gift cards an
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-01T17:53:34.174Z
Crossville, TN – Residents in Cumberland County are being warned about an impersonation scam in which someone is allegedly using the name of a local pastor to convince people to purchase gift cards and send the card information.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff ’s Office , scammers have been identifying themselves as Pastor Hank Jones of Simple Life Church and asking recipients to buy gift cards. Authorities emphasized that the requests are part of a scam and do not come from the pastor.
Investigators said scammers often use a familiar or trusted name to lower a victim’s suspicion. After establishing trust, they may ask the person to purchase gift cards and send the card numbers, PINs or photographs of the cards.
Once that information is shared, authorities warned, the money can often be spent quickly.
The sheriff’s office is urging residents who receive such a request to stop and independently verify it. Instead of calling a number included in a suspicious message, residents should contact the pastor or church using a telephone number they already know to be legitimate.
Officials also cautioned residents not to trust a displayed name, photograph or phone number by itself, since those details can potentially be manipulated or copied.
Anyone who has already provided gift card information should immediately contact the company that issued the card and ask whether the funds can be stopped or recovered. Authorities recommend keeping receipts, text messages and other communications connected to the incident.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to report suspected scam attempts and to share the warning with others who could be targeted.