Callers representing themselves as Rutherford County Sheriff's deputies are threatening residents by telling them they must pay for missing jury duty or civil warrants, said Sheriff Robert Arnold.

"These callers impersonating Sheriff's Office deputies are intimidating citizens to try to get money from them," Sheriff Arnold said. "Let me assure the citizens our deputies do not call people insisting they must pay for missing jury duty.

"For civil cases, deputies leave informational cards at people's residences asking them to call or come by the Sheriff's Office," the sheriff said. "We do not ask people to give us money for missing jury duty or for civil warrants."

Citizens who receive these calls should simply hang up. Citizens may call the Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at 615-898-7877 if they have questions about civil warrants.

Several citizens notified the Sheriff's Office Communications Saturday they received calls from men identifying themselves as Sgt. Monroe and Lt. Garrison. These impersonators told citizens they needed to pay $1,800 for missing jury duty or to pay $986.35 for a civil warrant.

"Although these callers may sound official, this is simply a scam to get money," Sheriff Arnold said. "Please call us if you have any questions."