Upper Macungie Township Police Lt. Peter Nickischer reports a 40-year-old Breinigsville man reported Feb. 21, he was contacted by a man claiming to be a federal agent with the Department of Homeland Security.

The caller said if the man did not pay an $8,000 fee, he would be deported.

The man followed the directions and paid the fee. Police say federal, state and local law enforcement will never demand to be paid money.

Fees for crimes and citations are handled through the court systems, not by officers. In this case, the "agent" insisted the man use a "Green Dot" card to make the payment.

Green Dot cards are reloadable prepaid cards that act like cash. Scammers use Green Dot cards and Western Union to defraud the general public.

If contacted by someone claiming to be law enforcement and demanding money, hang up and contact the police.