(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is warning residents about scam calls threatening legal action, including arrest warrants.

Merchant says many local residents, particularly elderly people, are being targeted. Callers claim legal action will be taken unless the resident immediately returns the call or sends payment.

Merchant says residents should not answer calls from numbers they don't recognize, and should verify who they're speaking with even when the number appears familiar, because phone numbers can be cloned.

He also advises residents not to return calls left on voicemail if they don't recognize the caller, and to hang up immediately if they suspect a scam.