(KNZA)--A familiar scam is circulating locally.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said a number of concerned county residents have informed him they are being contacted by phone by someone that is posing as their grandchild or a close relative.

The caller is telling the residents that they (grandchild or relative) are in a lot of trouble and have been arrested out of the area. (several variations of this scenario have been reported)

The caller identifies with the county resident either by calling them by their names or "grandma or grandpa". It appears the callers even knows limited personal history of those being contacted.

The caller then states they need $500 or sometimes more money immediately or charges will be pressed and they will be sent to jail.

On two occasions, Merchant said the person posing as the relative was asked for credit/debit card information to facilitate the transaction.

The caller has been reported as saying they are "very embarrassed and does not want the county resident to contact the parents and promises to pay back the money."

One report was that the caller was crying hysterically.

So far, Merchant said no one has fallen victim to this scam.

In all reports, the county residents contacted their grandchildren/ relatives immediately, and no one had been in trouble and the residents were urged to contact the Sheriff's Office to report.

As always, Merchant says never give out your personal information over the phone or internet.

If you feel you have been made a victim of a scam, your urged to contact your local law enforcement at once.