PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota judicial officials are warning the state's residents of a phone scam in which callers try to collect money by threatening people with legal action.

Officials with the Unified Judicial System say callers identify themselves as court employees and tell people that they can avoid immediate legal action by paying them.

The callers may seem legitimate by making it appear as if they're calling from a clerk of courts office.

Anyone receiving these calls can contact South Dakota's Consumer Protection Division or else call a local court to verify an outstanding court debt.