Knox Co. Sheriff warns of phone scam by individual claiming to be deputy

 Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith is warning residents of a phone scam involving someone who claims to be a sheriff’s deputy.

According to Smith, the individual is calling residents, identifying himself as Deputy James Marshall. The individual then tells the resident that they had failed to report for jury duty, but that he will take care of it if they pay him money.

He then requests a credit card number, noting that the will add the money from their account to his Re-Charge Card.

“These calls are not from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office,” Smith emphasized, noting officials with the sheriff’s department would never demand payment by telephone.

The number used by the caller is 606-202-3997, which Smith stated is a pre-paid cellular number.

As a result, Smith noted the number may change.

“There are scams very similar in nature occurring in other areas,” Smith stated.

Anyone contacted by an individual claiming to be from the sheriff’s department and asking for money should hang up and contact the sheriff’s office at 606-546-3181.

Smith is also advising residents not to give out any personal information such as credit card number, bank account number or other identifying information over the telephone to unknown or suspicious individuals.