Fraud Alert for Sheriff's Deputy Imposter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Shelby County Sheriff's Office says someone has been posing as one of them in an attempt to get your credit and debit card numbers.

Investigators said they received two complaints from victims this past weekend alone, and now they're trying to find out who this person is.

The phone number showed up blocked, and 70-year old James Penny didn't recognize the name on the other end.

Sunday, a man posing as a Shelby County Fraud Investigator called and told him that over $800 in fraudulent purchases were made with his debit card online. Penny was then asked to verify his card number. The man added that the fraud division caught the transactions before they hit Penny's bank account.

The longer it took Penny to give the guy his card number, the more aggressive the caller became. Penny said the impersonating deputy, who called himself Tyrone Banks, then asked to meet him at an address downtown to further discuss the matter.

An unconvinced Penny said he refused to give his information, got off the phone, and then called police. They said they didn't have an employee by that name.

Within an hour of filing a police report, the crook called back. That's when Penny told him he'd notified cops. The caller hung up, and Penny hasn't heard back from him since.

Investigators say they've received similar complaints and are now cautioning people.

In the meantime, an alert Penny in now looking closely at his caller ID and thinking twice about answering.

The Sheriff's Office said they never ask for personal information such as credit or debit cards. They said to use your instincts and notify them at (901) 545-5500 if you get a call from someone posing as one of them.