Officials are warning Johnson County residents about a phone scam in which people claim to be from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and then request payment.

The scammers are telling residents that they failed to appear in court and have to pay a fine or bond. They encourage the victims to purchase a Green Dot or prepaid card and call back with the numbers from the card.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office would not ask for any payment over the phone, through a wire transfer or via a prepaid card.

If residents feel they are victims of the scam, they should call the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

— by Stacey Murray