The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be wary after a number of telephone fraud schemes were reported earlier this week.

Beginning on the morning of Oct. 25 the sheriff’s office received numerous reports of a telephonic fraud scheme sweeping through the area from numbers across the United States, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. People have also reported receiving phone calls from the sheriff’s office’s main phone number — 970-435-2232 — telling them that their grandson has been in an accident. Some individuals reported being instructed to send money.

Officials with the sheriff’s office are warning residents to be vigilant when dealing with individuals on the phone, saying that scammers will often claim to be affiliated with trusted entities in the area to convince people to disclose personal information such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers. Officials emphasized that if you receive a call from someone you’re not familiar with not to give out personal information, and to hang up immediately. It can also be useful to keep in mind what tactics the scammers are using to gather information so that you can quickly recognize similar calls in the future, or give a more detailed description to law enforcement officials.

Further questions regarding the phone schemes in the area should be directed to Summit County Dispatch at 970-668-8600.