LaGRANGE — The Troup County Sheriff’s Office said scam artists are at it again — posing as deputies and conning local citizens out of their hard-earned cash.

Investigators said earlier this week a person identifying himself as Troup County Sheriff’s Deputy Andy Hoffman, badge No. 251, contacted a woman by phone. According to the victim, the “deputy” advised her she had committed tax evasion and to avoid being arrested she must pay a several thousand dollar fine.

Investigators told the woman the call was a scam.

Sheriff James Woodruff said no one from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office will call people to collect taxes or threaten anyone to pay a fine to avoid arrest.

Woodruff reminded folks to never send or wire money to anyone you do not know, or give out your private information over the phone, unless you know them.

Anyone with any information or questions about these types of scams is asked to contact the Troup County Sheriff’s Office Investigators at 706-883-1616.