City of Maryville Police is warning community members of a texting scam it has recently investigated. The received text claims to come from law enforcement personnel – in at least one instance, the Chief of Police. The text demands immediate payment or face jail time. The scammers may continue to harass the person if the text is ignored.
No law enforcement or other government official will contact a citizen in this manner or demand payment in a text message. If you have questions or want to report a call, use your keypad to dial directly to the agency number. Never click on a link or return a call that has come into your phone.
Maryville Police Phone Numbers
Emergency - 911
Office - 865-273-3700
After Hours Non-Emergency - 865-983-3620
“Please share this information with family members, neighbors and friends, especially those who may not see this information online,” said Police Chief Tony J. Crisp. “With so many ways to target community members and their hard-earned money, it is important that you always remain on alert and never respond to potential scammers. Always call a trusted agency to help you.”
Additional scam information:
The impersonator will often refer to the person by name, tell the person the call is being recorded, tell the person they missed an important court date or jury duty or similar, and demand the person send money to avoid immediate arrest.
Technology makes it possible for these scammers to “spoof” a phone number to make it look like it is coming from a legitimate agency and may use the name of a real law enforcement officer to appear legitimate.
No government or utility will ever take a payment in the form of a gift card.
Scammers use fear tactics to persuade people to forward money urgently. Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
Never give personal or financial information to someone who calls, texts or emails you. Immediately report the activity to your local law enforcement agency.
Also, be mindful of what information you and your family put on social media. Update privacy settings on all accounts and keep your personal information and whereabouts off of social media as much as possible.
There will always be new ways for criminals to scam money from people. Be alert and suspicious and call if in doubt.
No law enforcement or other government official will contact a citizen in this manner or demand payment in a text message. If you have questions or want to report a call, use your keypad to dial directly to the agency number. Never click on a link or return a call that has come into your phone.
Maryville Police Phone Numbers
Emergency - 911
Office - 865-273-3700
After Hours Non-Emergency - 865-983-3620
“Please share this information with family members, neighbors and friends, especially those who may not see this information online,” said Police Chief Tony J. Crisp. “With so many ways to target community members and their hard-earned money, it is important that you always remain on alert and never respond to potential scammers. Always call a trusted agency to help you.”
Additional scam information:
The impersonator will often refer to the person by name, tell the person the call is being recorded, tell the person they missed an important court date or jury duty or similar, and demand the person send money to avoid immediate arrest.
Technology makes it possible for these scammers to “spoof” a phone number to make it look like it is coming from a legitimate agency and may use the name of a real law enforcement officer to appear legitimate.
No government or utility will ever take a payment in the form of a gift card.
Scammers use fear tactics to persuade people to forward money urgently. Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
Never give personal or financial information to someone who calls, texts or emails you. Immediately report the activity to your local law enforcement agency.
Also, be mindful of what information you and your family put on social media. Update privacy settings on all accounts and keep your personal information and whereabouts off of social media as much as possible.
There will always be new ways for criminals to scam money from people. Be alert and suspicious and call if in doubt.
RSS Feed
