Scammers are targeting Smith County residents by posing as law enforcement officers and demanding money, according to local officials.

Scammers are targeting Smith County residents by posing as law enforcement officers and demanding money, according to local officials.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of phone scams. Scammers are using the department’s phone number and the names of real employees to convince victims they have missed jury duty and now face arrest unless they pay a fee.

“These are all scam phone calls,” said Sgt. Larry Christian, public information officer for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. “No law enforcement agency will ever call anyone asking for money concerning any legal matter.”

The officer had reports of a “legal matter scam” using the name of Sgt. Terry Brunk. The AI generated caller lists a phone number to call back, when the call is returned an automated response stats they will get back to the caller.

Brunk is a deputy constable for the Precinct 1 Constables Office in Tyler and is not making or authorizing these calls. These scammers are likely “phishing” to see who will call them back, Christian said. 

These scams are not uncommon. When a rash of scams are reported locally, authorities often reach out to local media outlets to help spread the word to hopefully prevent more residents from losing money and becoming victims.

Last week, the Tyler Police Department reported a recent case in which a victim was contacted by someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal. The caller instructed the victim to withdraw money to clear their name. The victim also received a follow-up call from the Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency number, which had been “spoofed” to appear legitimate.

“A person identified themselves as an officer and gave a badge number to further the scam,” Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said. “They told her they would arrest her if she didn’t pay the money.”

Erbaugh said no law enforcement agency, including Tyler police, will ever request money from residents to clear their name.

“Tyler PD will never contact you asking for money,” he said.

Authorities advise residents to hang up if they receive suspicious calls demanding money.

Anyone who has been targeted by a scammer is encouraged to report it to Tyler police at 903- 531-1000 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and 903-566-6600.