JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about a recent phone scam. Authorities say if you receive a phone call from someone stating they are from IRS or the NIH (National Institute of Health) offering you a grant and they require you to purchase iTunes cards to “prove your identity”, it is a scam.

Generally, says the sheriff’s office, grants do not come looking for you and they do not require an iTunes Card, Prepaid Visa/MasterCard, MoneyGram or Western Union to apply.

Law enforcement suggests that if you receive any calls such as these to ell the caller to stop calling you or just hang up on them.