According to the St. Joseph Police Department a number of area residents have been receiving phone calls involving an IRS scam.

In a warning issued on social media by the department today it warns citizens that someone claiming to work for the IRS is calling people to notify them they have unpaid taxes that must be paid immediately.

The scammer is telling people that if those taxes are not paid a lien will be placed on their homes and property.

The Police Department said that this is a scam and the IRS does not operate like that.

“This is another attempt to scam money from citizens,” the department said on Facebook. “If you owe money to the IRS, or any government agency you will be notified through proper channels.”

The department urges residents to be careful when handing out any personal information and if the caller persists to simply hang up.