ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) - The Ithaca Police Department has learned about a Social Security scam from people claiming to be from the U.S. Inspector General's office.

According to police, these people have contacted Tompkins County residents claiming that the residents owe money to the Social Security administration.

When a citizen questions the authenticity of the phone call, the scammers offer to have a local police officer call the citizen back. A different scammer will then call the citizen back, claiming to be an Ithaca police officer and gives an actual name of an officer.

Ithaca police is reminding everyone that law enforcement will never call a citizen and demand money to be paid for a fine, or violation.

Be cautious of such phone calls, no matter how convincing they seem to be.

For further information on scams or frauds, visit https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety