Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson has issued an alert concerning attempted fraud in the area.
The sheriff said law enforcement agencies have received numerous calls of yet another “Green Dot” card swindle. There have been several other scams of this type in Southeast Tennessee and nationwide.
Complainants report they receive a phone call from a male identifying himself as an officer 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.
One issue that is more serious is that now the criminals involved in the incidents use actual names of Bradley County officers, while calling from the area’s 423 area code and local pre-fix numbers such as 650, 284, 605, 715, 716 or others.
Sheriff Watson wants the public to know this is a fraudulent enterprise. He 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 said after receiving such a fraudulent or “scam” call, one should hang up and immediately contact law enforcement.