(KNZA)--Another scam circulates in the local area, with authorities saying it's the latest attempt to rip off unwitting victims. 

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says it was brought to his attention by a local financial institution. 

He says phone calls are being placed to local residents, with the pre-recorded message telling whoever answers that their social security number has been placed on hold. 

The recorded message then provides a phone number which is falsely portrayed as the method to fix the purported error. 

Merchant says that number should not be called, as it's an apparent attempt to gain financial information. 

He says those who receive the call should report it to the Kansas Attorney's General's Office.