Jul 23, 2014 1 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The district attorney is warning people in the Pittsburgh suburbs to beware of a telephone scam apparently based in Jamaica.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. says the callers claim to work for Publisher’s Clearing House — the legitimate sweepstakes firm — and tell residents they’ve won a prize but must first send a check to cover processing fees.

Zappala says the callers have targeted residents of Whitehall Borough and South Fayette Townships in recent days, and that caller IDs have indicated the calls are being placed from the ‘876’ area code in Jamaica.

Zappala says residents should always refuse to send money when they’re contacted by phone about any sweepstakes prize or similar offer. Residents can avoid the calls altogether by having their phone company block any calls from the Jamaican area code.