BAKERSFIELD, Calif — The Kern County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a phone scam targeting residents in the area.

According to KCSO officials, a person claiming to be an officer with the Kern County Sheriff's Office calls or leaves a voicemail urging the victim to call them back regarding a legal matter. They leave a callback number with a recording that says it is the sheriff's office, and even use names of actual employees of KCSO.

They then try to convince the victim to pay them for an alleged warrant, often for a failure to appear for jury duty.

This is a scam and KCSO does not contact the public by telephone to pay fines.

Anyone who receives a call from an unknown person requesting money should research the matter prior to providing any funds or personal information.

If you receive suspicious telephone calls that you believe to be a scam, you are urged to contact KCSO at (661)861-3110, to report the incident.