A troubling trend of phone scams continue to plague Rutherford, Williamson and now Coffee Counties, with the most recent reports of fraudulent calls targeting unsuspecting residents in the Manchester area. The Coffee County Sheriff's Department issued a warning after receiving numerous complaints about a recurring phone scam that closely resembles recent incidents in neighboring communities.

In a statement released in the last 24-hours, the Coffee County Sheriff's Department revealed that the scam involves callers claiming to be members of the sheriff's department. The perpetrators inform victims that they have an active warrant, and to avoid arrest, they must pay a fee. Disturbingly, the scammers are demanding payment in the form of Bitcoin.

This operation mirrors recent reports in Rutherford and Williamson Counties, indicating a potential organized effort by con artists to exploit individuals with threats of legal consequences, all of which are not real. The Coffee County Sheriff's Department emphasized that these calls are fraudulent, and no legitimate law enforcement agency would contact individuals by phone to demand payment for warrants.

Residents are urged to exercise caution and be vigilant. If you receive a call of this nature, it is essential to hang up immediately and refrain from providing any personal or financial information. The sheriff's department advises that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payment through unconventional means like Bitcoin.

The statement issued by the Coffee County Sheriff's Department emphasized, "DO NOT give these people any information." Instead, residents are encouraged to promptly contact their local law enforcement agency to report the incident. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these scams.

If anyone has fallen victim to this scam or has information about the perpetrators, the sheriff's department urges them to notify local law enforcement immediately. Combating this ongoing issue requires community awareness and collaboration to put an end to these fraudulent activities that prey on unsuspecting individuals.