BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT WARNING RESIDENTS OF PHONE SPOOFING SCAM
The Blount County Fire Protection District is warning residents of an active phone scam involving the department’s official phone number. Scammers are spoofing the district’s caller ID (865-983-2133) to send automated calls falsely claiming a credit card purchase has been declined.
Key Details of the Scam
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The Pitch: Automated calls instruct recipients to dial a toll-free 1-800 number to verify a declined transaction.
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The Goal: To trick individuals into surrendering personal, financial, or banking details.
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Official Protocol: The fire department never uses automated systems for financial alerts and will only direct citizens to call back during normal business hours using their official line.
Officials advise anyone receiving these calls to hang up immediately and avoid dialing the provided 800 number or sharing sensitive information. Residents are also urged to check on elderly neighbors and relatives to ensure they are aware of the fraudulent calls.
