LAWTON, Okla. — Police in Lawton have issued a warning that someone is trying to scam the city’s residents out of money.

The police department was told that someone claiming to be with the City of Lawton Water Department is cold-calling residents there.

The caller is telling residents that their water will be turned off unless the resident pays a certain amount of money to keep it on.

The resident is then instructed to rush to a local Walmart and buy a Green Dot Card, or pre-paid Visa card, with the amount specified.

Once the card has been purchased, an exchange is made.

Lawton Police don’t want anyone to fall for this scam, saying that the water department won’t contact you by phone and request payment this way.

Lawton residents will always be contacted by written letter.