The Ironton Police Department is warning residents that there is a phone scam in the city focusing on the water department bills.

“We have had reports of someone calling different people and asking them to pay their water bill today,” Dan Johnson, IPD Chief, said. “This is something our water department doesn’t do. They don’t solicit payment by phone.”

The first call reported to Ironton Police was on Saturday where the caller said the water would be shut off that day if payment is not received.

“We don’t have anybody working on Saturday at the water department,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who listened to one of the messages left on an answering machine, said the caller spoke with a heavy accent. He also cautioned residents not to give out credit card information to this caller.

“Tis the season for scammers,” Johnson said. “Some people might automatically assume it is real. The City of Ironton doesn’t do business that way.”