Jury duty scams targeting Williamson County residents: Sheriff

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has warned citizens of scammers falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials requesting money.

In a release Monday, the WSCO stated individuals had been targeted through phone calls, texts and emails by scammers claiming to be law enforcement officials. The scheme often tells victims they have missed jury duty and face legal consequences as a result. They warn recipients that in order to avoid arrest, they must pay up to thousands of dollars in fines.

Victims reported receiving “official-looking” documents with false information and forged logos.

One of the scam documents shared by the sheriff’s office falsely appears to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and states that the recipient will be arrested if they do not pay thousands of dollars via a cryptocurrency kiosk.

Over the last few years, Williamson County has seen a rise in scams and similar crimes, the release said. In 2023, the county saw a 21% increase in fraud-related incidents compared to the previous year.

A statement from Sheriff Jeff Hughes said, “Protecting personal information and reporting any suspicious activity is crucial. By working together, we can help prevent these crimes and keep our community safe.”

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The WSCO said there is no case where they would request payment over the phone or online. If you have been targeted by a scam, contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 615-790-5550.

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