(KNZA)--The promise of free money, without obligation, is being made to area residents through phone calls now reported to the Brown County Sheriff's Office, with Sheriff John Merchant saying that promise, whether related to a subsidy check or grant money, is clearly a scam.

Merchant, in a release, says the caller claims their target has been selected from a "national database," with one intended victim telling Merchant that, by playing along with the caller, she learned that the promised money would be deposited into her account, meaning, had she not hung up, the caller likely would have asked for those personal, financial details.

Merchant also cautions about the accuracy of caller ID, with one intended victim reporting that the call claimed to come from "National Security," with Merchant warning that caller ID information can be spoofed.