(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) is warning the public of a phone scam designed to steal money from unsuspecting community members.

According to PPD, a man is calling people and telling them that he has one of the victim’s family members, usually a woman, and the number he is calling from, according to police, is listed as (719) 220-9177.

“The caller goes on to say he is associated with the cartel and the person he has owes the cartel money,” wrote PPD. “The caller then requests a cash payment to release the person being held but later in the conversation, the caller asks for a money order instead.”

Police are asking the public not to send this person money as these incidents have proven to be false. PPD said if anyone suspects that someone has been kidnapped to call the police department or your local law enforcement agency to file a report.

To learn more about filing a report for various situations, PPD outlined three different ways to do so:

To file a report in person: Go to the Pueblo Police Department, located at 200 South Main Street. PPD lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For emergencies: Call 911

For non-emergency reports: Call (719) 553-2502 or go online to https://pueblo.policetocitizen.com