(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana residents are asked to beware if you get a call from someone claiming to be with the Indiana State Police.

The real Indiana State Police say they have received several reports of an apparent phone scam, which involves using the ISP General Headquarters phone number.

According to investigators, the scammer is using a Caller ID that shows Indiana State Police with the number 317-232-8248. The scammer then identifies him or herself as an Indiana State Police Trooper, and tells the caller that their identity has been compromised or stolen. The scammer then asks for personal information to “verify” that the person they are speaking to is actually that individual.

Indiana State Police officials say they do not cold call people and ask for personal or financial information. They say that scammers are persuasive and technically savvy, and will often play on their victim’s emotions and fears in order to get that individual’s information and money.

The easiest way to protect yourself from being scammed over the phone is to either ignore unsolicited calls from unknown callers or just hang up when something doesn’t seem right. If you feel you have been a victim of a phone scam, immediately report the matter to your local law enforcement agency.