Latest phone scam hides behind popular pizza restaurant, sheriff says

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — The latest phone scam attempting to get a slice of your money pretends to involve the popular pizza chain Papa John’s, a local sheriff says.

Henderson County Sheriff Brian Duke said the scheme starts with a phone call from someone pretending to represent the restaurant. They then claim the customer was overcharged for their last pizza order.

“They were going to empty her bank account,” Duke said. “They knew who she was, they knew her information, they even had the correct date and time she had ordered.”

“They were requesting her banking information to allegedly put the money back in her account,” he said.

Management at the Papa John’s in Lexington said they were aware of the scheme and urge customers to be aware of the fake phone calls.

Staff said if there are discrepancies with a bill, protocol is to notify the bank directly and the bank will inform the customer.

If you think you’re being scammed, Sheriff Duke said it’s best to not give out any personal information and simply hang up the phone.