FRANKLIN COUNTY — The sheriff in Franklin County is warning residents there about two new phone scams.

David Bartoni says the first call states that “you” missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued. You are advised to get pre-paid cards then call back and provide the card information. Once those numbers are given the scammer can collect and the cards are not traceable.

The second involves the Sheriff’s Office directly. Bartoni says the sheriff’s office has been told that people are receiving a call, sometimes automated, advising them to call 618-440-5237, which is cloud based out of California. Upon doing so, the call is answered by an automated system that identifies itself as the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office warrant division. The caller is then asked to leave their name and contact information to await a return call from a deputy noting that all deputies are currently out of the office.

The sheriff says this number is not associated with the sheriff’s office at all and added that if and when a return call is made, it will be similar to the jury duty scam call.

The sheriff’s office does not call and tell people about warrants as a general rule and doesn’t ask for pre-paid card information or other banking / credit information to satisfy the bond. If a warrant is issued, the person must be brought to the jail to be processed then post bond, it will not be done over the phone.

If you get one of these scam calls, do not give the caller any of your personal and financial information whatsoever and call your local law enforcement agency with as much information as you can about the call.