University of Tennessee Police Warning of Scam Targeting Students’ Families

UT Police explained that the person making the call is using a variety of spoofed numbers, including local 865 area codes.

University of Tennessee Police Warning of Scam Targeting Students’ Families

Posted on January 24, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The University of Tennessee’s Police Department is warning of a scam targeting students’ families.

UTPD officials say the person running the scam is calling people while posing as a member of the UT Police Department and telling potential victims that their loved one has been arrested. The scammer then demands money, specifically $1,900, to be paid through Venmo or PayPal to circumvent the arrest or to avoid the media being notified.

UTPD says no one from the department will ever ask for money or payments over the phone. They will also never ask for payments through PayPal, Venmo, GreenDot or Western Union.

Officials urge anyone who gets a call like the one described to simply hang up.

UT Police explained that the person making the call is using a variety of spoofed numbers, including local 865 area codes.

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