Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry J. Larpenter announced Saturday the department has received multiple reports of phone scams in the area.

Terrebonne residents are reporting phone calls from someone claiming to be with the U.S. Marshalls Office and that they failed to show up for a subpoena in New Orleans.

The caller is attempting to have residents purchase iTunes gift cards or prepaid credit cards in order to prevent a warrant being issued for their arrest.

Larpenter said no law enforcement agency operates in this manner Residents are encouraged to never send money over the telephone to anyone claiming to be local or federal law enforcement.

Those who receive a telephone call of this nature should immediately hang up the phone and notify local law

enforcement agency.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office at 876-2500 or the Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 800 743-7433.