By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of a phone scam involving Publishers Clearing House and Western Union.

According to Sheriff Ed Harbin, his office has received reports of people in the area receiving calls from someone who is portraying themselves as someone from Publishers Clearing House. Harbin said callers tell people they have won $2.5 million and a new Mercedes. To claim their prize, they are asked to go to a local Western Union and send $400.

Harbin advised people who receive the call to “hang up” and “do not send any money.”

He said a several of the calls come from overseas, but if anyone receiving the scam call has caller ID, they can turn the number over to law enforcement for investigation.