Area sheriffs are warning of a phone scam preying on community residents.

Sheriff Rick Meyer in Jackson County says that scammers are calling people, telling them they have won a large amount of money. But they want you to pay fake taxes on the non-existent winnings.

Meyer says the callers are trying to convince victims to a store and to purchase gift cards to cover the fake amount, and then send the scammers the information to steal the money off the gift card.

Authorities say that legitimate organizations and companies will never ask or demand that you make a payment using gift cards or cash cards. Meyer says to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.