ELKHART, Ind. – A phone scam in Elkhart is asking community members to pay the police department money or risk deportation, the Elkhart Police Department announced.

Individuals have been contacting police about the scam, in which callers claim to work for the police department and tell victims they need to pay the department to resolve immigration issues or avoid deportation.

In one instance, the caller told the victim they would lose their status and be deported if they didn’t send a large amount of money immediately, police said.

Homeland Security Investigations is offering the following tips for residents who may receive a call like this:

• Don’t give any personal or financial information
• Try to collect any contact information from the caller
• End the conversation immediately if the threats and intimidation persist
• Report the incident to the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-347-2423 (callers to the tip line can remain anonymous)

Elkhart Police say they will never call and ask residents to pay them money. Police say they will not contact you by phone and ask you to pay a fine or bill or contact you by phone about a warrant.

If you receive a similar suspicious call, you are asked to call the Elkhart Police Department at 574-295-7070 and ask to speak with a supervisor for verification.