MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Fraud detectives with the Murfreesboro Police Department are warning residents about two separate scams circulating in the area—one involving callers impersonating the city’s police chief and another using fake text messages posing as DMV officials.

In one reported case, scammers spoofed the department’s main phone number and claimed to be Chief Michael Bowen. The caller contacted a Murfreesboro woman and alleged that her father had ordered chemicals that were scheduled for delivery to their home. The suspect then attempted to gather personal information, including the woman’s home address and how long she had lived there. When the woman said she would contact police directly to verify the claim, the caller encouraged her to do so, saying it would make his job easier. She instead hung up and later reported the incident to authorities.

Detectives say a second scam involves fraudulent text messages warning recipients that they have been reported to a Tennessee violation database. The messages threaten prosecution, a 30-day driver’s license suspension, and potential damage to the recipient’s credit score unless immediate payment is made. The texts include links to fake payment websites designed to resemble official DMV platforms.

Public Safety Information Director Larry Flowers emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone or through text messages to resolve legal matters.

“Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and they rely on fear to trick people into handing over personal information or cash,” Flowers said.

Police are urging residents who receive suspicious calls or messages to avoid engaging, hang up immediately, and report the incident to local law enforcement. Officials say remaining cautious and verifying any unexpected communication can help prevent falling victim to these increasingly convincing scams.

ANOTHER SCAM HITS MIDDLE TENNESSEE: In an unrelated scam that is striking Middle Tennessee mailboxes comes in the form of a letter that looks like a traffic violation, but in reality, it is just another scam. Authorities are warning residents across Middle Tennessee about the new scam involving fake traffic violation letters that appear to come from a court, but are in fact fraudulent (See photo above these two articles, and the mailed version of the scam is on the right).

According to investigators, the scam involves mailed notices designed to look like official documents from a Tennessee court system. The letters claim the recipient has committed a traffic or toll violation and must either appear in court or make an immediate payment. Some versions include a QR code directing victims to a fake payment site, a tactic officials say is becoming increasingly common.

Officials are urging residents not to scan any QR codes or submit payment if they receive such a letter. Instead, individuals should contact their local court clerk’s office directly using verified phone numbers to confirm whether any citation or case actually exists.

Again, these scam ticket violations are being sent to the homes of area residents, along with another version of the scam targeting cellphones. Regardless of how you receive the fake notice of a fictitious ticket, your response should be the same: throw it in the trash or delete it from your inbox.

• Read About MORE SCAMS in Middle Tennessee HERE.