WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - A neighboring Middle Tennessee county is warning residents about a sophisticated scam involving someone impersonating a federal law enforcement officer in an apparent attempt to frighten victims into sending money or personal information.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office issued the alert after receiving a recent fraud report involving a scammer pretending to be an FBI agent. Authorities said the scam stood out because of the amount of detail and effort used to make the call appear legitimate.

According to the sheriff’s office, scammers are becoming increasingly convincing by using real agency names, fake badge numbers, spoofed phone numbers, and official-sounding language. Investigators say these tactics are specifically designed to pressure victims into acting quickly before they have time to verify the information.

Officials stressed that legitimate law enforcement agedncies, including federal agencies, will never call someone and demand payment in order to avoid arrest. Authorities also warned that real officers will never instruct individuals to pay through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.

Investigators further emphasized that legitimate agencies will not tell people to keep the situation secret from family members, banks, or local law enforcement. Scammers often rely on fear and urgency, threatening arrest or legal action if immediate payment is not made.

The warning comes as impersonation scams continue to target people across Tennessee and the nation, particularly older adults and others who may be more vulnerable to high-pressure tactics. Authorities encourage residents to remain cautious anytime they receive unexpected calls requesting money or sensitive personal information.

Officials advise anyone contacted by someone claiming to be in law enforcement to hang up immediately and independently verify the claim using an official phone number obtained directly from a trusted source. Residents who believe they may have been targeted by a scam are encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office is also encouraging families to discuss fraud prevention with relatives and loved ones, noting that a simple conversation could help prevent someone from becoming the next victim.

• Read more HERE about various scams throughout Middle Tennessee to ensure no one catches you off-guard.