MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS NEWS) — If you recently received a text message claiming to be from the government demanding payment for a traffic violation, missed jury duty, or some mysterious “federal bond” involving Bitcoin… congratulations—you’ve officially met a scammer with a printer, a keyboard, and way too much free time.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office is once again warning residents about a growing scam that is making the rounds locally, this time falsely using the name of School Resource Officer Sgt. Tim Hayes. Authorities say at least one resident reported being contacted about missing jury duty and being pressured to pay up immediately.
Let’s be clear: law enforcement does not call you out of the blue demanding money for jury duty. They also don’t accept bail in Bitcoin, Dogecoin, or whatever cryptocurrency is trending that week.
The scam materials circulating online attempt to look official—complete with bold “United States Courts” headers, references to digital currency deposits, and even something labeled a “Mobile Escort Order.” One document suggests suspects can avoid arrest by depositing funds through a “secure kiosk system” using crypto. Another claims to involve the Office of Inspector General and FDIC-backed accounts.
There’s just one problem: none of that is real.
In fact, the documents read like a mashup of legal jargon, buzzwords, and outright fiction. Phrases like “preemptive bail opportunity” and instructions to deposit funds at kiosks in grocery stores are dead giveaways. Real courts don’t operate like a vending machine.
And if the paperwork wasn’t enough, scammers are also backing it up with text messages. Some residents have received alerts claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, warning that their license will be suspended unless they immediately pay a fine through a suspicious link.
Helpful tip: If a random text message tells you to click a link and pay money to avoid jail, it’s not a public service—it’s a scam.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that they do not contact residents by phone or text to demand payment for missed jury duty or any legal matter. Officials say the best course of action is simple—hang up, delete the message, and move on with your day (and your money intact).
The agency also credited the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for helping circulate information about the scam as it spreads across Middle Tennessee.
As scammers continue to get more creative—complete with fake warrants, bogus NDAs, and references to cryptocurrency—it’s becoming increasingly important for residents to stay alert. Because while the documents may look official at a glance, a closer read reveals something far less sophisticated.
In short, if someone claiming to be the government is asking you to pay your way out of trouble with Bitcoin at a kiosk… you’re not dealing with the justice system—you’re dealing with a scammer.
