KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department said that at least two people fell victim to a scam involving people posing as members of a sports team to collect donations at West Town Mall.
A KPD statement released on Monday said officers been notified of at least two such incidents. with one victim losing $1,600 in credit card transactions.
FTC: Tennesseans lost the most money to investment scams in 2025
“Before donating to an organization or individual, take time to do your research,” police wrote. “Whether online or in person, be extremely cautious before sharing your credit card information with people you don’t know. If you do plan to donate, using cash is the safest option.”
If you think you are the victim of a scam, report it to the KPD Property Crimes Unit at 865-215-7268.
▶ See more top stories on WATE.com
Tennesseans have lost millions in scams in 2025 including to people posing as government imposters as well as to investment scams, romance scams, and other types of scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission…