Public Announcement
Avoid Getting Scammed
Some scammers target people by pretending to be law enforcement, victim services, court staff, jail staff, or other officials. They use pressure, fear, and urgency to push people into sending money or sharing personal information.
How people get targeted
Scammers often look for situations where people may already feel vulnerable, stressed, or uncertain. They may call, text, or message someone claiming that an offender is being released, that a payment is required, or that immediate action must be taken to avoid danger, delay, or legal consequences.
In many cases, the caller may pretend to be connected to law enforcement, a jail, a court, victim services, or another official office. The goal is to make the story sound urgent enough that the victim reacts before verifying.
Fear is the tool. Urgency is the weapon. Payment is the objective.
Common scam pattern
A person receives a call that sounds serious and specific. The caller may claim that someone is being released, transferred, monitored, processed, or handled under urgent conditions. Then the demand follows: money must be sent immediately.
The payment request may involve Cash App, Zelle, gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. The caller may insist that the payment must be made now and that the person should not hang up or contact anyone else.
Common pressure lines:
“You must pay right now.”
“Do not disconnect this call.”
“Do not contact anyone else yet.”
“Use Cash App or a gift card.”
“This has to be handled immediately.”
What to do if you get a call like this
If someone contacts you demanding money or personal information under pressure, stop and verify before doing anything else.
1. Do not send money.
2. Do not share personal or banking information.
3. Do not trust the caller just because they sound official.
4. End the conversation if needed.
5. Verify the claim using a trusted number or official source you locate yourself.
Any demand for fast payment through apps, gift cards, wires, or crypto should be treated as a major warning sign.
Red flags to watch for
- someone posing as law enforcement or another official source
- demands for immediate payment
- instructions not to hang up
- pressure not to contact anyone else
- requests for payment through apps, gift cards, or wire transfer
- fear-based claims meant to force a quick decision
Even when a caller knows names, locations, or details, that does not prove legitimacy. Public information and partial facts are often used to make a scam sound convincing.
If money was already sent
Act quickly. Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider immediately and ask whether the transfer can be stopped, disputed, or reviewed for fraud. Save screenshots, receipts, phone numbers, and messages connected to the incident.
The faster you respond, the better the chance of limiting further harm.
Use this website lawfully
ArrestedTN.com is intended for lawful public information use only. It should not be used to harass, threaten, stalk, intimidate, exploit, extort, impersonate others, or support any unlawful purpose.
Information found on this website should never be used as a tool for scams, pressure campaigns, retaliation, or any other misuse against another person.
Quick reminders
- Pause before paying.
- Do not trust urgency by itself.
- Do not rely on caller ID alone.
- Verify through trusted sources.
- Do not use this website for any unlawful purpose.