East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers
HOTLINE: 865-215-7165

Really Missing?
March 20, 2023

Valentine's Day Month-Long Special
February 07, 2023

February is the month for celebrating the love in your life. And we don’t want you to forget those exes’ that did you wrong either!

Do you have an ex-Valentine and know they have outstanding warrants? Do you have information that they are driving with drugs in their car? Give us a call with their location and we’ll take care of the rest.

This Valentine’s Day month-long Special starts off with a set of limited-edition platinum bracelets, free transportation with a chauffeur, a one-night minimum stay in luxurious accommodations and professional glamour shots that will be posted online for all to enjoy. This special is capped off with a special Valentine’s dinner.

We know this special is so incredible that you may be tempted to provide additional referrals. We don't blame you, this special is too sweet to pass up. Operators are standing by!

We have 3-ways you can get in on this Special - call 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, go online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or use the P3 TIPS app.

Remember your tip may = a CASH reward!

(Laugh all you want, but someone reading this is about to call us and give someone up!)

Don't Take the Bait
January 07, 2023

Chances are we all of have received a phishing text, email or phone call recently and if you have not there’s probably one waiting in your inbox. It’s the easiest way for scammers to cast out their hook and find someone willing to bite, but there are several things we can do to protect ourselves and our personal information.

First, let’s take a look at some of the popular phishing messages. These messages have one thing in common they are designed to grab your attention.

• Text message or email saying your bank account or credit card has been locked due to fraud.
• Emails or calls claiming your computer has been infected and you need to click “here” to let them fix it.
• Emails and text messages claiming you’ve won a reward, such as a gift card – ex. $75 in free groceries from Walmart, Amazon, etc.
• Email or message from a “friend” that you normally do not hear from.

Now, how do you avoid taking the bait?

• Think before biting, before you click on that email or open the text message take a real close look at the address, URL and spelling.
• Ask why would anyone need my computer information or bank information.
• Ask why is someone you normally don’t hear from emailing you out to the blue. Consider reaching out to them before clicking to confirm they really did message/email you.

Lastly, consider taking a proactive step and setting up 2-factor authentication on your accounts. This will make it harder for a scammer to gain access to your accounts even if you inadvertently give out information to a phisher.

For more information about online safety visit www.consumer.ftc.gov.

Making a Difference in East Tennessee
January 06, 2023

2022 was our first full year and it was a VERY busy and successful year. Take a look at some of these facts and figures then take a scroll through our page to see if you recognize anyone. Maybe you will be the next person to receive some $$$$.

To everyone following us, who have liked our page, shared our posts and submitted a tip THANK YOU! You are the reason we have such great numbers to report. If you have not invited your friends to follow us do so now. The more people who see our posts the better chance we have of getting the information to solve crimes and locate fugitives.

Remember, when you submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers you will REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be paid a CASH reward if your tip leads to the issuance of a warrant or an arrest.

Popular Year End Scams
December 31, 2022

How can you avoid falling prey to one of these popular year end scams?

Do your research. Here are a few simple tips to protect yourself and your hard-earned money.

• Before you renew your software or malware find out when you last renewed and make sure you are talking to a legit company and not someone spoofing a legit business.
• Before making a year-end donation make sure they qualify as a non-profit by seeing if they are listed as an Exempt Organization at www.irs.gov. Then confirm that the link you have is really to the non-profit you want to donate to and not to a spoofed site.
• Many people go in debt during the holidays and scammers count on the fear of debt collection to get you to share your personal identifying information. Never share your information unless you have initiated the contact. If they are legit they will not have any problems proving it and will understand your concern about oversharing.

Shoplifting Costs Everyone
November 30, 2022

Why should we care about shoplifters? We hear this question a lot usually followed by… “they have insurance,” “they’re a big business, they deserve it with the prices they charge,” “the shoplifter is only trying to feed/cloth their family.”  None of these are valid reasons for stealing.

Let’s take a look at these “excuses.”

1. “They have insurance” – Yes, and if they file too many claims their insurance company is going to question they way they do business, their rates are going to increase due to the risk of insuring them and they will have to increase their prices which means you and I will pay more for their products.
2. “They’re a big business, they deserve it with the prices they charge” – First, they employ local people who spend money locally. As for the high prices, these prices will continue to rise as they make up for the thefts, the increase in theft prevention, etc.
3. “The shoplifter is only trying to feed/cloth their family” – There are plenty of charities that will help those who have fallen on hard times. Most will even help them find employment so they can pay for the items they want. The vast majority of shoplifters are not doing it to feed/cloth their families. They are doing it to make money or because they do not want to pay for something they can steal. And, again because of these thefts what we pay for an item increases.

According to the National Retail Federation, in 2021 retail thefts cost the industry over $94 billion in losses. All of this leads to an increase in prices or stores deciding to close a specific location due to an increase in thefts.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
November 29, 2022

We rely on anonymous tipsters to provide information that helps law enforcement identify suspects, solve crimes and locate fugitives. We also rely on donors for the money to pay these tipsters.

This is the perfect way to answer the question, “What can I do to make a difference?” Answer, donate to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. Your donation helps law enforcement solve crimes, apprehend fugitives, seize guns from felons and remove illegal drugs from our streets. And, it helps citizens have a way to share information they have in a safe and anonymous manner all while helping all of us have a safer place to live, work and play.

All donation amounts are welcomed and appreciated.

Shop in your PJ's...It's Cyber Monday!
November 28, 2022

Today is the day we get to shop in our pajamas…it’s CYBER MONDAY! As you start surfing from online sale to online sale take a few minutes to review these safety tips.

• Only shop with reputable retailers and only on secured sites.
• Don’t shop on public Wi-Fi.
• Safeguard your online presence by selecting strong passwords.
• Protect your financial information. Use your credit card, not debit card. Consider using a payment provider such as PayPal or use a virtual credit card.

Finally, after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has passed run your credit report to check for fraud.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Shopping...Safely
November 25, 2022

Today is the day many of us start our Christmas shopping and with only 4 weeks left to get in all of our gift buying it is easy to get lost in trying to get everything done and not forgot someone on our list.  

As you make your list and check it twice East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers wants everyone to stay safe and consider these safety tips –

1. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings
2. Shop with a friend after all 2 sets of eyes are better than one
3. Limit what you carry with while shopping
4. Don’t flash the cash
5. Out of Sight is Out of Mind – put everything in your trunk so it is not visible to people who walk by your car.
6. Have your keys in hand when walking out to your car

Most of all enjoy this holiday season. Relax, don’t be in a hurry…enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

'Tis the Season for Scammers
November 23, 2022

‘Tis the season for scammers to start plying their trade and East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is reminding everyone that by taking a few simple safety precautions you can make their job harder and maybe save yourself from becoming one of their victims.

• Beware of phishing and virus loaded emails. Check out who is sending the email before opening it.
  • Right click the email in your inbox
  • Select “View Message Source” – Is it from a legit email or a scammer trying to look like an email from a legit business?
• Ask yourself if the “deal” is too good to be true. If it sounds too amazing it may not be a deal, but a scam.
• Turn on 2Factor Authentication. It is worth the extra step to protect yourself.

Guess Who is Coming to Knoxville?
November 09, 2022

Working to Raise Awareness about Domestic Violence
October 20, 2022

Domestic Violence - Know the Warning Signs, How to Create a Plan of Safety & How to Help
October 19, 2022

Did you know –

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of domestic violence nationwide?
• A typical day has 20,000+ calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide?
• Women between 18 and 24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner?
• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year?

If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship and want help call:

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE), or

Tennessee Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-356-6767.

To learn more about Domestic Violence, the warning signs, how to create a safety plan and how to support those who may be in an abusive relationship visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s website at www.thehotline.org.

Remember, wear purple tomorrow, October 20, 2022 to help raise awareness about Domestic Violence.

Bring Awareness to Domestic Violence - Wear Purple this Thursday
October 18, 2022

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Thursday, October 20, 2022 is National Domestic Violence Awareness Day. East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is asking everyone to wear purple on Thursday, October 20th to help raise awareness about domestic violence.

If you know where someone who is wanted for domestic violence related charges is hiding submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, or via the app P3 TIPS.

Let’s make October the month they are captured and bring even more awareness to domestic violence.

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
September 25, 2022

The annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims pays tribute to murder victims and their surviving family members. This day gives us all the opportunity to remember those lost to homicide and to ways to support and serve surviving family members. As a community let us take this day to focus on the impact of murder on families and on our communities. East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers asks that everyone take a few moments to think of these families.

If you have any information on an open murder case, submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. All tipsters will remain anonymous and if your tip leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a cash reward and can help a family begin the healing process.

Call **TIPS or 865-215-7165

Online www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org

App P3 TIPS

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Is Making a Difference!
August 29, 2022

After providing a tip on a wanted person, which led to his apprehension one tipster wrote to us saying, “I will encourage others to report valid information as they learn anything that may help with law enforcement. I was doubtful, but Crime Stoppers listens and it works! We all have to do our part. Now, if we can figure out a way to help law enforcement keep criminals in jail. They just keep getting back out on the streets!”

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to submit a tip over the past 15 months. Together we are helping area law enforcement and making a difference in East Tennessee.

Take a scroll through our social media pages and website; do you recognize any of the individuals in our outstanding cases, know where a fugitive is hiding out or have information on a crime? Submit a Tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers today.

Knoxville Police Continue Looking for Who Killed Matthew “Mack Jr” Scott
July 23, 2022

Today marks the 1-yr anniversary of the murder of Matthew Scott. On July 23, 2021 UTPD officers were conducting a property check along Riverside Drive when they found Scott unresponsive, lying next to the road. When they got out with him they discovered he had been shot multiple times. 

The Knoxville Police Department was contacted and assumed the investigation. Though East TN Valley Crime Stoppers has received several tips investigators tell us they are still looking for tips that will help them close this case and provide his family with the answers they so desperately want and need. 

Scott, better known as Mack Jr was from Kingston, SC and left behind 3 children, parents and siblings who miss him and want answers. 

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tipsters are Making a Difference!
July 01, 2022

If you have information about a crime, criminal activity or the location of a fugitive you can remain anonymous when you submit a tip to East TN Valley Crime Stoppers and if your tip leads to an arrest you will be eligible for a CASH reward.

There are 5-ways to Submit a Tip:

• Call: **TIPS
• Call: 865-215-7165
• Online: www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org
• App: P3 TIPS
• Facebook: Click the Submit a Tip link

Sevierville Police Department Joins East TN Valley Crime Stoppers
May 31, 2022

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is excited to announce that Chief Manning and the Sevierville Police Department have joined the Crime Stoppers family. This gives their citizens a way to remain 100% anonymous when sharing information about criminal activity, the location of fugitives hiding out from police or helping police identify a suspect. Plus, Crime Stoppers will pay a CASH reward for any tip leading to an arrest, the seizure of illegal drugs or the recovery of stolen property.

Join us in welcoming the Sevierville Police Department and the citizens of Sevierville to the East TN Valley Crime Stoppers family. We invite everyone who lives, works and visits Sevierville to start following us to learn more about Crime Stoppers. Help us spread the word by sharing this post that East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is growing and making an impact on crime in East Tennessee.  

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Joins East TN Valley Crime Stoppers
May 23, 2022

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers welcomes the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Coffey to the Crime Stoppers family. Today, Sheriff Coffey and East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Coordinator Stacey Payne met to officially start the Crime Stoppers program in Jefferson County. Now the residents of Jefferson County can share information they have about the location of wanted persons, criminal activity and the location of stolen property to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers all while remaining 100% anonymous. Crime Stoppers takes away the fear of retaliation. Plus, Crime Stoppers will pay a CASH reward for any tip leading to an arrest, the seizure of illegal drugs or the recovery of stolen property.

Join us in welcoming Sheriff Coffey and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers family and invite everyone you know who lives and works in Jefferson County to start following us to learn more about Crime Stoppers.