CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is warning residents to be wary of phone scammers impersonating officers.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, an increase in phone scams has been reported. The scammers have been impersonating real officers with the CCSO, and they tell the victims that a warrant is out for their arrest.

“These types of scams are becoming more frequent, and these scammers are doing their homework by researching the agency they are impersonating and using the names of actual officers of the department,” Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley said in the release. “We are asking the public to please exercise good judgment from anyone who contacts you demanding money, especially if they are claiming they are a law enforcement officer or other government official.”

The CCSO reports that the stories the scammers tell victims can vary. For instance, some victims are told they have missed a court date or jury duty, while others are told their warrant is tied to child support or a civil court case.

The release included a recent example of a scam in which the caller told an intended victim that they had to buy a DNA test kit and scan a barcode. The scammer then gave instructions to pay them directly to avoid arrest.

In numerous instances, victims are asked to provide their credit card or bank information. Others are asked to buy gift cards or cryptocurrency and provide that information.

“The one thing these all have in common is they are all a fraud,” Fraley said. “No law enforcement officer will ever call you and ask you for money to avoid arrest. No government agency is going to call you and ask you to send a payment by gift cards or through a mobile app. No law enforcement agency is going to send you to a store to purchase a DNA test kit.”

The CCSO urges anyone who receives a call suspected of being a scam to hang up. The sheriff’s office warns all residents to never make a payment or provide personal information to anyone threatening arrest.

“If you feel you have been victimized by a scam such as this, report it immediately to your local law enforcement,” Fraley said. “If you receive a call claiming there is a warrant for your arrest, and you want to check for your own peace of mind, call our dispatch office at 423-542-1845 or stop by the dispatch office located in the lobby of the Carter County Detention Center, and we will be glad to check for you.”