CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — State Police are warning registered sex offenders about a telephone scam that targets them for fraud.

According to police, a caller tells the offender they are a law enforcement official. The caller then advises the registered sex offender that he or she is not in compliance with their registration requirements and sometimes claims to hold a warrant for the offender’s arrest. Finally, the caller advises the offender that the issue can be resolved if the offender obtains some form of a cash card and/or arranges a money transfer.

Police say any individual receiving such a telephone call should not initiate any type of financial transaction without further verifying the validity of the call.

The Pennsylvania State Police also noted they do not solicit registered sex offenders for any type of monetary compensation to gain compliance with registration requirements. Any issues concerning compliance with registration requirements are only resolved by an offender appearing at an approved registration site, or by personal contact with a law enforcement official.

Any registered sex offender who receives this type of call and has any question regarding their compliance status should contact the Pennsylvania State Police, Megan’s Law Section at 1-866-771-3170.

Any individual who believes they may have been the victim of similar fraudulent activity should attempt to verify the phone number of the incoming call, obtain as much information as possible about the caller, note the details of the instructions provided to resolve the issue, and contact their local police department.

According to police, the perpetrators of these phone scams can be very difficult to locate. An electronic money transfer can be accomplished in minutes, and the funds are often unable to be recovered.