Bradley County Sheriff’s Office warns of another “Green Dot” card scam
Cleveland, TN (WDEF) – Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson has issued an alert concerning attempted fraud in this area. The Sheriff says law enforcement agencies have received recent calls of yet another “Green Dot” card swindle.
There have been several other scams of this type in Southeast Tennessee and nationwide recently. Complainants report they receive a phone call from a male identifying himself as an officer with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. There have been instances where the scammer has used the name of an actual deputy with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. The caller advises there is an arrest warrant on file for the citizen; however, that citizen could pay a fee to resolve the issue. The “Scam Officer” directs the citizen to go to a Wal-Mart to purchase a Green Dot money card for a specific amount of money, and then call the “scammers” back at the telephone number provided. The phones the perpetrators use are usually always what is known as “burn” phones, easily purchased, used a few times then either discarded or used later in another area. The numbers are hard to trace by authorities.
Sheriff Watson wants the public to know this is a completely fraudulent enterprise. He strongly advises NOT to send money to anyone who calls and identifies himself or herself as representing the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office even if the name they use is familiar to you. Deputies DO serve warrants, however they do NOT request money, nor would they ever direct anyone to buy a Green Dot Card.
Sheriff Watson concludes by saying, after receiving such a fraudulent or “scam” call, hang up and immediately contact law enforcement. This is just another way thieves try to take your hard-earned money.
Those perpetrating this fraudulent enterprise seem to prey on the elderly, the Sheriff says, adding, “pass on the alert to family and friends that this is a scam…assure them they should NOT give money to these people.” Sheriff Watson concludes by saying, “ this is a scam, pure and simple.”
There have been several other scams of this type in Southeast Tennessee and nationwide recently. Complainants report they receive a phone call from a male identifying himself as an officer with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. There have been instances where the scammer has used the name of an actual deputy with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. The caller advises there is an arrest warrant on file for the citizen; however, that citizen could pay a fee to resolve the issue. The “Scam Officer” directs the citizen to go to a Wal-Mart to purchase a Green Dot money card for a specific amount of money, and then call the “scammers” back at the telephone number provided. The phones the perpetrators use are usually always what is known as “burn” phones, easily purchased, used a few times then either discarded or used later in another area. The numbers are hard to trace by authorities.
Sheriff Watson wants the public to know this is a completely fraudulent enterprise. He strongly advises NOT to send money to anyone who calls and identifies himself or herself as representing the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office even if the name they use is familiar to you. Deputies DO serve warrants, however they do NOT request money, nor would they ever direct anyone to buy a Green Dot Card.
Sheriff Watson concludes by saying, after receiving such a fraudulent or “scam” call, hang up and immediately contact law enforcement. This is just another way thieves try to take your hard-earned money.
Those perpetrating this fraudulent enterprise seem to prey on the elderly, the Sheriff says, adding, “pass on the alert to family and friends that this is a scam…assure them they should NOT give money to these people.” Sheriff Watson concludes by saying, “ this is a scam, pure and simple.”
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