TN sheriff’s office warning of scammers calling parents, claiming to have abducted their children

What This Story Is About

• The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said it has received reports about men calling residents from private numbers and claiming to have abducted their children.

What Happens Next

• JCSD is urging residents to not meet these callers at Walmart as this is a scam.

GAINESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Tennessee sheriff’s office is warning residents about a scam call regarding child abduction.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said it has received reports about men calling residents from private numbers and claiming to have abducted their children. The scammers reportedly know the children’s names and the cities they live in.

“The men are threatening to harm their children if their parent(s) does not meet them at the Walmart in Cookeville or “nearby Walmart,” JCSD said. “The men are also pretending to put the “children” on the phone, but it seems to be it’s still them speaking in a low voice."

JCSD said the men are not demanding money or other payment over the phone. They are just demanding the victims meet them at Walmart.

“These scams typically stem from individuals finding your personal information on the internet,” JCSD said. “They will typically not be at Walmart, once you arrive, they will have you go inside the store and purchase gift cards and demand the gift card numbers over the phone once you’ve left the store.”

JCSD is urging residents to not meet these callers at Walmart as this is a scam. They also warned that the callers will speak in an aggressive manner to scare the victims.