City Police are warning the public about a telephone scam claiming that residents have money coming to them from the federal government.

The scam operates by claiming the victim is owed thousands of dollars as a reward for paying their taxes on time. But before the money can be transferred, the victim must pay a bank transfer in the hundreds of dollars.

Police said the people running the scam spoke with an accent — possibly Middle Eastern — and they had access to much of the victim's personal information including their home and cell phone numbers, names, dates of birth, social security numbers and even the banks where the victims have accounts.

Anyone receiving such a call should notify city police at 773-1816.