Sheriff warns scammers stepping up efforts to swindle local residents

November 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

If you get a phone call supposedly coming from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office — think twice before giving out your financial information.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said someone is targeting would be victims with spoofed phone calls which means even though the caller ID may show otherwise, the calls are not coming from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

It’s a scam intended to coerce or threaten would be victims into sending money .

“I have had multiple calls today (Monday) from citizens who have been targeted. The scammers are using different scenarios trying to pull off their crimes and in many cases have been very rude and threatening to people,” said Sheriff Ray.

“In one case a citizen called me and said a Sheriff’s Department’s phone number called them and said they had a warrant on them for a court case. They even used a former deputy’s name. The caller told the victim not to hang up, not to tell anyone like her spouse and do not call the Sheriff’s Department. The caller wanted the victim to go get green dot cards at Walgreens to pay for the warrant. The victim and their spouse thought something didn’t sound right and called me,” said Sheriff Ray.

“Scammers are good at what they do. They research areas such as our county and spoof phone numbers of businesses and in this case the Sheriff’s Department’s number,” he continued.

“Do not go and get any cards that have money applied to them or give people who call you your bank card or credit card number. Once you give the scammer the card numbers, the scammer will take the cash which has been applied to them and collect the money into an overseas account. There is no way to get your money back. Most of the time these scammers are overseas where our laws mean nothing. The FBI has a difficult time working these types of cases,” Sheriff Ray said.

“If you get a call like this, please hang up immediately and call me at the jail. The number is 615-597-4935,” he said.

November 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools will remain on virtual learning through Friday, November 13.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps made the announcement Monday afternoon (today).

“Due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines among faculty and staff DeKalb County Schools will continue virtual learning through November 13. We hope to return to in-person learning Monday, November 16,” said Director Cripps.

All five schools in the district have been on virtual learning since Wednesday, October 28.

“The anticipated date of return is November 16, however we will continue to monitor the numbers and will make adjustments as necessary. Our expectation is that all students will continue their education virtually through Google classroom,” said Director Cripps.

The following locations can be utilized for hotspots to download assignments if needed:

*DeKalb Middle School Parking Lot

*Northside Elementary School Parking Lot

*DeKalb West School Parking Lot

*DTC Office Smithville location (beside Walmart) 200 Walmart Drive

*DTC Office location in Alexandria at 111 High Street

*Community Center locations: Belk, Blue Springs, Temperance Hall, Keltonburg, and Midway.

November 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County residents will have the opportunity to donate Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, beginning Monday, November 16.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 168 million shoeboxes to children in over 160 countries and territories. For many of these children, the gift filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Also, to help offset shipping costs, participants are asked to donate $9 per shoebox gift. They will receive a tracking label, enabling them to learn the destination of their shoebox gift.

The week of November 16th through 23rd, is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. The drop-off/relay center for this area is located at the Indian Creek Baptist Church, 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee, and is a convenient place for churches, clubs, schools, businesses, and individuals to bring their filled shoe boxes.

The local drop off center will be open, as follows:

*Monday, November 16 through Friday, November 20 – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
* Saturday, November 21 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Sunday, November 22 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*Monday, November 23 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You may select from the above dates and hours to deliver your filled shoe boxes to the center.

This holiday season you can experience the true meaning of Christmas with a child in need by simply packing your shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other small gifts. During this Coronavirus Pandemic: Now, more than ever, CHILDREN NEED HOPE.

For further information please contact:
Sue Puckett:
615/597-7370 (office)
615/597-7325 (home)
615/464-7700 (cell)suepuckett@dtccom.net (e-mail)
For more information, including guidelines for shoebox gifts and an option to virtually “Build a Box,” visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

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