Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless is warning citizens about the return of an old phone scam.

The scam is that a person gets a phone call saying that they are from the sheriff’s office or another local law agency. The scammer says that there is an unpaid fine and a warrant has been issued for your arrest.

But, conveniently, all you have to do is pay the fine over the phone and you won’t be arrested.

“Please do not fall victim to this scam,” Lawless said, adding that neither the sheriff’s office nor other law enforcement agencies work this way. The caller wants you to go to a local store and buy a prepaid credit card and then pay them.

“Do not do this,” Lawless said. If you pay with a prepaid credit card, then there is no way for it to be traced and that’s what the scammers want.

“These scammers are very clever and even use local telephone numbers so that they look legitimate,” the sheriff said. “If you receive such a call, simply hang up on the caller. Do not waste your time or allow their scare tactics to cause you to drop your guard.”

Lawless is asking people to warn and educate elderly family, friends and neighbors about the scam so they do not give away their hard-earned money.

To report this or other scams, call the sheriff’s office at 740-532-3525.

There are many scams targeting people, for a list of some go to www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Scams