(Kenton County, KY)--Sheriff Charles Korzenborn is alerting people to new phone "scammers."
The sheriff said people are calling residents over alleged violations, including missed jury duty, outstanding warrants and fines, and unpaid taxes.
He said the scammers are trying to convince residents to pay over the phone to avoid being arrested, by using a "green dot" or pre-paid credit card.
Sometimes the caller will leave a message, asking the resident to call back about a "problem in your area."
Korzenborn said never to offer any kind of payment to these callers. He said the sheriff's department will never call a household concerning alleged violations of law.
The best thing to do, he said, is to hang up.
He added that people should contact the Kentucky Attorney General's office for continued nuisance calls.
The Office of Consumer Protection number is 888-432-9257.