State police at Troop N, Hazleton, have issued an alert to the public regarding a telephone scam happening in the area.

Police said in one scenario, people are receiving a text message advising them they ordered a new cellphone(s), either online or in a store. Police said the text says the recipient of the message was sent a wrong phone(s) and that a new phone will be sent to them. It also says representatives for the carrier will be at your residence to pick up the wrong phone(s). Police said people then show up at your home and take possession of the phone(s).

They said in a second scenario, a package containing a phone(s) is delivered to the residence of someone who did not order it. People then shows up to the residence acting as representatives for that company and explain they are aware you did not order the phone(s), and they are there to retrieve the phone(s).

Police advise potential victims that whether they order a new phone(s) or not, if it is delivered to your residence, don’t just hand the package over to people because they showed up to your residence stating they are there for the package.

They advise the public to call the number to that specific company directly, not the phone number provided in the text messages received.

Police suggest the public “always trust your instincts and if there is ever signs of criminal behavior, call 911.”