An area law-enforcement agency has issued an alert about a scam.

A press release from the Saline County Sheriff’s Department says three Marshall businesses contacted the sheriff’s department regarding a scam.

All businesses reported a similar situation in which a caller asked whomever picks up to speak with manager. Once the manager gets on the phone, they are told they have a warrant for missing jury duty. The caller threatened to send a deputy out to the business and arrest them at work if they did not comply with the instructions. The business managers are told to go buy a Green Dot Reload card and put $450 on the card, which they will need to scan into the warrant system at the sheriff’s office to post their bond.

The caller gets the manager to give them their name and personal cell phone number, and they are told to stay on the phone while they buy the card. Once the card is purchased, the caller instructs the manager to scratch off the code and give it to them so they can verify the funds are on the card. If the manager refuses, they are told they are violating the process and are threatened again with immediate arrest at their workplace.

All three businesses were called from the same number of (660) 324-9814.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Department reminds residents it does not accept bond money over the phone, through any computer system or payments with any type of card. In addition, the sheriff’s department does not make any calls to anyone advising them of active warrants.