The Marshalltown Police Department is advising local citizens of an apparent phone scam which has recently bene reported circulating throughout different areas of the community.

According to Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, some local citizens have reportedly been contacted by a group of individuals falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers from the state of Texas and local officers from the city of Marshalltown.

The individuals would tell their potential victims that there is a warrant out for their arrest, but for a fee they can pay a fine and have the warrant cancelled.

The scammers then request bank account or credit card information.

The individuals involved are also spoofing phone numbers to make it appear as through the calls are originating from a local source.

The Marshalltown Police Department is advising residents that this is a common phone scam.

Anyone who receives such a call is advised not to give out bank account or credit card information to anyone over the telephone unless they are 100 percent sure the person they’re talking to is a legitimate source.

Chief Tupper further adds that real law enforcement officers will never call anyone and ask for money or personal information over the telephone.