The Dona Ana County sheriff is warning residents not to fall for a phone scam that claims people have unpaid warrants. 

Sheriff Todd Garrison said he was contacted at work and asked for repayment on a so-called outstanding warrant for his arrest.

The recording left on his direct line asked him to pay a balance before he was arrested.

The call was traced to a New York phone line. An investigator who called the fake agency learned it was a hoax when they hung up on him, said deputies.

"This is yet another scam that's circulating around our area," Garrison said. "Unfortunately, not everyone has the resources to trace calls and get more information. The lesson here is to never believe an unsolicited call that asks for credit-care payment on a warrant. If you have a warrant, you will either be contacted through the mail or you can contact any local magistrate or district court to verify that information."

Garrison is asking anyone who thinks they are a victim of this scam to report it to local law enforcement.