Cazenovia Police Chief Michael Hayes has issued a notice warning local residents about a new phone scam that has been reported.

According to Hayes, people are getting the phone call that a loved one is in jail or has been hurt or robbed, and they need money as soon as possible. The scammers are directing the potential victim to get a specific dollar amount of gift cards, call them back, scratch the number for the card and give the scammers the number over the phone so the scammers can claim the money.

If anyone receives a phone call like this, do not do what the caller asks, write down the phone number of the caller and report the call to the Cazenovia Police Department at 315-655-3276.