Broome County residents are being alerted to scams in which people pretending to be law enforcement officers are simply trying to steal money by phone.

Endicott police say someone claiming to be an officer with the department has been calling people and claiming they owe fines. The fake cop tells the target they could be arrested if they don't pay up.

Authorities say the Endicott police department does not request fine payments over the phone and does not ask anyone to buy debit cards to settle fines.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office reports that a man claiming to be a deputy with the civil office has called business claiming to have arrest warrants for employees.

The caller, who does not actually work for the sheriff's office, asks businesses to provide card numbers over the phone to make a payment so the warrants will be cancelled.

The sheriff's office does not accept money to cancel warrants. Any legitimate payments must be made in person at the office.

People who believe they've been targeted by scammers are advised to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency so the matter can be investigated.

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