Tennessee families lose millions of dollars to scams every year — and that number is growing. According to the FTC, Tennessee consistently ranks in the top half of states for per-capita fraud losses, with adults over 60 accounting for the largest share of victims and the highest losses per incident.
Whether you're in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or a rural community in West Tennessee, the scams hitting your neighbors right now share common threads. Here's what's active in Tennessee today.
- Medicare robocalls — targeting seniors on Medicare Advantage plans with fake "extra benefits" offers
- Grandparent scams — callers impersonating grandchildren in legal trouble, surging across West Tennessee
- Utility shutoff scams — fake calls from TVA and local utilities demanding immediate payment
- IRS impersonation — especially active around tax season but year-round in Tennessee
- Fake job offers — targeting job seekers in Memphis and Chattanooga manufacturing corridors
TVA and utility scams
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is one of the most impersonated organizations in the state. Scammers call homeowners claiming to be from TVA or local power companies — Memphis Light Gas & Water, Nashville Electric Service, Knoxville Utilities Board — saying power will be cut off within the hour unless payment is made immediately by gift card or prepaid card.
TVA and your local utility will never call demanding immediate gift card payment. If you get one of these calls, hang up and call your utility company using the number on your bill.
Social Security scams targeting rural Tennessee
Rural communities across West Tennessee, the Cumberland Plateau, and East Tennessee mountain counties see higher rates of Social Security scams because seniors in these areas are more likely to rely on their benefits as their primary income — making the threat of "suspended benefits" especially frightening and effective.
- "This is TVA calling. Your service will be disconnected in 45 minutes unless you call back immediately."
- "Your Medicare benefits have been flagged for review. Press 1 to speak with a Medicare representative."
- "This is the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been compromised and suspended."
- "Your grandson was in an accident near Nashville. He needs bail money today."
Report Tennessee scams
- Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs: 615-741-4737
- Tennessee Attorney General scam reporting: tn.gov/attorneygeneral
- FTC national reporting: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3 (internet scams): ic3.gov
- 1-800-MEDICARE: For Medicare fraud reports
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