Paris, Tenn.–In recent days the Henry County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints that someone is calling local residents and representing themselves as deputies of the sheriff’s office.
According to Chief Deputy Damon Lowe, “The callers are asking for you to send them money to cover fines or court cost. The person calling is hard to understand as they have a foreign accent. They will be asking you to send the money out of state or even out of the country.”
When they call your home the phone number to the sheriff’s office, 731-642-1672, is showing up on your caller ID.
“This number is being obtained through a computer and is better known as a ‘spoof call’. When you spoof a call you can use an application from the computer and call someone and make any number appear. This is done in hopes that you will answer the phone and that you will believe the number calling you is actually that person,” Lowe said.
Sheriff Monte Belew said, “Wee want to get this information out in hopes that no falls for this scam. We, at the sheriff’s office, will not call you and ask for money for any court fines or cost and we do not have anyone here that speaks with a broken foreign accent. “
Lowe said, “We are sorry that you are getting these calls, but in today’s world of scams you have to know who you are talking to. The complaints we have had said when they asked the caller who the current sheriff was, the caller had no idea!”
Belew said, “There are times that someone from our office will need to call you, but each officer here will be able to identify themselves properly. Sheriff Belew reminded everyone to just be aware of who you are speaking with before you give out any personal banking information or credit card information.”
If anyone has any questions or concerns they can feel free to call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 731-642-1672 and speak with Sheriff Belew or Chief Lowe.
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