Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Alerts Public to Impersonation Scam
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an impersonation scam where criminals pretend to be law enforcement or government officials and demand payment through unusual methods to resolve fabricated issues like outstanding warrants.
Chattanooga, TN, September 29, 2026 — The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public warning regarding an ongoing impersonation scam targeting residents. The Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of individuals posing as law enforcement officers or government officials to defraud the public.
Authorities report that scammers are contacting residents, falsely claiming they are associated with law enforcement or government agencies. These perpetrators then fabricate issues, such as the existence of outstanding warrants or other legal troubles, to alarm the victims.
As part of the scheme, the impersonators demand immediate payment to resolve these fabricated problems. The methods of payment requested are often unusual and deviate from standard official procedures. Residents are advised that legitimate government agencies and law enforcement offices typically do not solicit payments through unconventional means or demand immediate, on-the-spot transactions to clear up supposed legal issues.
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to remain vigilant and to verify any such demands directly with the official office. If you receive a suspicious call or communication requesting payment under the pretense of resolving legal issues or outstanding warrants, do not provide personal information or make any payments. Instead, hang up the phone and contact the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office directly at their official number to report the incident and confirm the legitimacy of any claims.
Specific details regarding the number of reported incidents, the total financial losses incurred by victims, or the exact methods of payment demanded by the scammers were not immediately available. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate these reports and encourages anyone who believes they may have been targeted or has fallen victim to this scam to come forward and report the activity.
Story summarized from the original created by McKenzie Hughes on www.wdef.com, see more information here.
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