(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a new scam circulating in the area.

Sheriff John Merchant says the sheriff’s office has received reports that scammers are calling county residents and pretending to be from the local electric/utility company.

The caller says that for $4.99 their electric bill would be paid and the resident would also receive a $100 gift card by providing their bank information.

Merchant says this is scam, and reminds local residents to never give out personal information over the phone or internet.