Hardin Co Sheriff’s Department warns of recent impersonation scam
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT:
HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — Today, January 27th, 2026, the Sheriff’s Department received a complaint of a scam going around involving someone calling individuals and stating to them that he is Sergeant Joseph Brown of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, badge #858277.
The caller states that you have failed to appear for a federal litigation hearing and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Often times the scammer will present you with options to pay a fine/fee to avoid being served with the warrant.
If prompted to pay, scammers will often ask that you pay using prepaid debit cards and then ask you for the card information so the money can be transferred to another account. They may also ask to have the money trasferred via a cash exchange app.
The Hardin County Sheriff’s Department will NEVER request that you send, or give, them money for any reason and we DO NOT have an employee by the name of Joseph Brown, Sergeant or otherwise. Even legitimate warrant’s, civil or criminal, are served in person and money will never be exchanged with Sheriffs Department personnel.
If something feels suspicious, or you have questions about the legitimacy of a telephone conversation, you can always call the Sheriff’s Department at 731-925-3377 or Dispatch at 731-925-9007 and ask to speak with a deputy by public service.
With the current road conditions the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Department is closed through Thursday, January 29th, 2026. With that being the case please call Dispatch at the number listed above if you need to speak with a deputy.
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