Fake Arrest Calls Targeting Tennessee Students’ Families: How Scammers Are Exploiting Fear for Profit
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The University of Tennessee Police Department (UTPD) is alerting parents and families of students about an ongoing scam. Scammers are posing as UTPD officers, calling individuals and falsely claiming their loved ones have been arrested. They demand $1,900 via Venmo or PayPal to prevent the arrest or media exposure.
UTPD warns that these scammers use spoofed numbers, including local 865 area codes, and often adopt official-sounding names to appear legitimate. The department emphasizes that UTPD will never request money or payments over the phone or through platforms like PayPal, Venmo, GreenDot, or Western Union.
If you receive such a call, UTPD advises hanging up immediately. If you suspect the call might be genuine, experts recommend verifying by contacting the official organization directly using a verified phone number, not the one provided by the caller.
In related news, the Johnson City Public Library is set to restart its after-school homework program, offering additional support to students and families in the community.
