The Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk recently posted on social media to alert residents to a phone scam his office had been made aware of.

“This week our office began receiving calls from residents of the county who were receiving phone calls at home, at work, and on personal cell phones, from a male caller who had one of the following messages for residents that he targeted: ‘I am Sgt. Ryan Kepner from the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office and there is a legal matter that needs to be addressed, please call 570-512-5034,;” which was a scam, the media release said.

Before you give anyone your personal information, always call the agency the caller purports to be. Do not meet with anyone to sign a bail piece or get them a check. The office of the sheriff does not conduct business in this manner, ” the release added.

Please call the office of Lycoming County Sheriff at 570-327-2280 to report any scam calls that you have received.

The news release added the following tips to avoid being the victim of a phone scam:

1. Under no circumstances should a resident ever provide any personal information by phone when receiving any calls unless the resident personally knows the caller.

2. Never provide any credit card information to anyone whom the resident does not personally know or with whom a resident has not initiated the call.

3. Note any telephone number of the caller, which is indicated on the resident’s telephone system.

4. Document the conversation with the suspect making the call.

5. Disconnect without providing any information to the caller.

6. Call the office of the Lycoming County Sheriff AT 570-327-2280.

Also report to the Pennsylvania Attorney General at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a…/scams-complaint/

Or call the sheriff’s office or the state office of the attorney general 717-787-3391.