Franklin woman reports scam phone calls

A Franklin woman contacted police after receiving a scam phone call that appeared to be coming from a county government office.

The woman told police Friday morning that she had received phone calls claiming to be from a collection agency trying to reach a relative. But the phone number on her caller identification was from the Johnson County Clerk’s Office, according to a report from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Employees at the county clerk’s office told the woman they did not try to contact her, the report said.

Police departments have dealt with fraudulent calls that use another number for years, Sheriff Doug Cox said.

Scammers will use their smartphones to disguise their number, he said.

“We have heard of this for many years on these investigations,” Cox said.

Multiple websites detail how someone wanting to disguise their phone number can. Some charge for the service, and others have people download an application on their phone.