ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas is warning the public of a surge in telephone scams, noting there seems to be an increase in this activity near the holidays.

Lucas said scammers have been posing as government officials to extort money from their victims.

They may gather information on their victims online and attempt to convince them a relative has been arrested and needs bond money. They may pose as FBI agents and say their victims’ Social Security number has been compromised.

“If they call you on your phone — home phone, cell phone, whatever — and they tell you they are IRS, FBI, ATF, your local police department, and it comes to a point they ask for money, it’s a scam,” Lucas said. “Anytime they ask for money, if it’s the real deal they’ll come to your house or they’ll send you a legitimate letter through the mail with contact information. None of these agencies will call your house and ask for money.”