SALISBURY — Local authorities are warning residents about callers who tell them they owe a fine for failure to appear for jury duty.

It’s a scam, authorities said.

The Salisbury Police Department has received two reports from local residents about the scam. One paid $500 to the scammer, and the other reported the attempted crime.

Officials with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office say calls like this and others are happening more frequently at this time of year.

Salisbury Police Capt. Melonie Thompson said the caller tells the victim that he is Lt. Richardson and is informing the victim that he or she owes bond because he or she did not show up for jury duty. The caller says it is a felony crime.

Thompson said the victim who paid the caller used a MoneyPac card, which is often used to reload a prepaid card.

When police investigators called the number the victim reported, the phone line had been disconnected.

The victim said the call came just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Another victim told police that someone who gave his name as Lt. Richardson called to say the victim was subject to a fine for not showing up for jury duty and he needed to set up a meeting.

Thompson said police officers would never call someone to tell them they have an outstanding fine. She recommends that anyone who received a similar call contact police.

Rowan County Sheriff’s Office investigators say they’ve received reports of callers attempting the same scam as well as callers who say the IRS has a warrant for a person who did not pay taxes.

An investigator said that scam is becoming more popular because it’s almost tax season.

Sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford said the bottom line is neither the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office nor the Rowan County Clerk of Court’s Office would collect any money by phone nor would they use a card like the one that’s been mentioned.

Sifford said these organizations would only accept fines or fees in person at the office, not by phone.

If anyone believes they have been the victim of a scam, they should contact the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333 or the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.