MURFREESBORO, TN — Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen is warning the public to be on high alert after scammers have begun "spoofing" the police department’s official phone numbers in an attempt to extort money from local residents.
Bowen revealed that one fraudster went as far as calling a local resident and identifying themselves as a police officer who the chief happens to be very familiar with... If you get an unexpected and random phone call from someone claiming to be Chief Bowen, chances are good it's not him - - especially if he asks you for money, or says that you have past due fees, fines or court costs that need to be paid...
It's important to keep in mind that con-artist are more sophisticated today than they were in years past. In this day and age, the scammers are not only impersonating real law enforcement officers, sometimes with the help of AI, they're also using technology that makes the department's actual phone number appear on the potential victim's caller ID.
The Golden Rule: Police Never Ask for Money - The number one tell-tale sign of a scam artist calling you, verses a real police officer or detective, is the fact that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever ask a citizen for a financial transaction over the phone. Nor would they have a problem with you calling them back by dialing their publiclly listed telephone number that should be readily available on their agency website, Legitimate law enforcement agencies would also be hesitate to allow you to call them back
Chief Bowen encourages residents to inform their elderly loved ones about the high volume of scams impacting citizens across the country on a daily basis..
He also urges residents to be alert to common “payment” methods frequently demanded by scammers. Phrases involving the following should immediately raise suspicion:
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ATM or wire transfers
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Money orders
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Gift cards or cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin)
“I will never call and ask for money, and none of my staff will ever call and ask for money,” Chief Bowen stated firmly. “That should be a red flag for anybody.”
How to Protect Yourself - The Murfreesboro Police Department advises that if you receive a call from someone claiming to be a police officer or a court official demanding payment for "unpaid fines" or "missed jury duty," you should take the following steps:
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Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage or try to argue with the caller.
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Verify the Claim: Use a trusted, published phone number from the official city or county website to call the agency back directly.
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Talk to a Real Person: Ask to speak with the specific officer or the department's financial clerk to verify if there is any legitimate legal issue.
The MPD reminds residents that scammers often target the elderly or vulnerable populations, counting on a sense of panic to bypass a person's better judgment. "Don't feel like you have to act immediately," Bowen advised. "Take a breath, make a call, and verify."
In some cases, area residents fall victim to the words of a con artist, leading them down a path of financial hardship that can take a lifetime to recover from. In those situations, detectives work with victims to the best of their ability... Sadly, if clues lead detectives to networks of hidden internet portals in foreign countries, tracking down the physical location of a suspect becomes far less likely, making prosecution nearly impossible.
WIDER RUTHERFORD COUNTY AREA: Meanwhile, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a scam involving a caller posing as a law enforcement official who allegedly threatens arrest over a missed grand jury appearance.
According to authorities, a retired police officer was recently contacted by a scammer claiming to be “Capt. Casey Beck” with the Sheriff’s Office. The caller told the retired officer he had missed jury duty and faced potential arrest unless he complied with instructions.
Officials say the claim immediately raised red flags—because no one by that name works for the Sheriff’s Office, and neither federal nor local grand juries operate in that manner.
The scammer attempted to escalate the situation by asking for the retired officer’s home address and suggesting an in-person meeting, which investigators say could have been an attempt to rob the victim.
However, the retired officer recognized the suspicious nature of the call, refused to provide any personal information, and ended the conversation. He later reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office to help warn others.
Authorities emphasize that grand juries—whether federal or in Rutherford County—do not call individuals threatening arrest for missing service, nor do they request any form of payment to avoid legal consequences.
“This is not how the court system or law enforcement operates,” officials stressed. “Any demand for money tied to jury duty or arrest warrants should be treated as a scam.”
The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain cautious and follow key safety steps if contacted:
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Do not provide personal information over the phone
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Do not agree to meet unknown individuals
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Hang up immediately if the call feels suspicious
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Verify claims by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly using official phone numbers
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Report the incident to local law enforcement
Scams involving impersonation of law enforcement officials have become increasingly common, often relying on urgency and fear to pressure victims into compliance.
Officials say awareness is the best defense.
“If something doesn’t sound right, trust your instincts,” the Sheriff’s Office advised. “Hang up, verify, and report it. That simple step can protect you and others in the community.”
