Bainbridge Public Safety Deputy Director Frank Green has asked people to be aware of phone scams that have become prevalent in the last few months.

BPS has received a half-dozen reports, according to Green, of people that have received suspicious phone calls of people asking for money.

“They were being called by persons posing to be some type of government official, whether that be a law enforcement officer of an IRS agent,” Green said. “These people were asking them to clear up legal maters by sending in a payment.”

There are phone clues to look for if you suspect a call might be a scam according to Green.

“If a government agency has an issue they are going to send a letter not just call,” Green said. “They also work in regions. Someone calling you from New York, saying they’re from the IRS, it would be a local IRS agent stationed out of Albany or somewhere else in Georgia. Use you commonsense first and foremost.”

Green said that they believe the calls are coming from other countries and is taking place throughout the country. The scammers are believed to be using apps that mask where the phone call is coming from.

If you receive these types of calls, Green asks that you call BPS and although they do not have the ability to investigate them they will help you get in touch with Federal Authorities who may be able to assist you.