Hays County authorities are warning of a reported phone scam that has been targeting area residents, primarily senior citizens.

The scam involves someone claiming to be a Hays County Sheriff’s Office employee who also uses a number from the local 512 area code, according to a HCSO press release.

The scammer tells victims they have warrants for their arrest and that victims must pay money to avoid being detained.

Victims are reportedly instructed to purchase pre-paid Visa or MasterCard credit cards and then provide the number to scammers to have “warrants recalled,” according to the release. Some victims were told to purchase pre-paid cards at local CVS, Walgreens or Dollar General or similar stores. Many of the victims are senior citizens, according to the release.

“It is not the custom or practice from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to contact anyone by phone and demand payment to avoid being arrested,” according to the release.

Anyone who wants to verify if they have a warrant for their arrest can contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office warrants division at 512.393.7810 or 512.393.7827.

Anyone who may have information relating to the case should contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512.393.7896 and ask to speak with the Criminal Investigations Division.