The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents of an ongoing phone scam that has resurfaced over the past several days.

Scammers have been calling residents, fraudulently identifying themselves as a representative of an area utility company, telling the resident they have a past due bill. If the resident doesn't immediately go to a store and purchase a 'money pack,' the residents' utilities will be immediately shut off. Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves said if someone has a balance due with a utility company, they will receive notice by mail, but they will not receive a phone call with a demand for immediate payment through a gift card.

Residents who receive an unsolicited phone call from anyone demanding immediate payment, regardless of who they claim to be or work for, to hang up and not provide any personal information.