ALBANY COUNTY — A recent spate of calls is targeting elderly county residents, according to a release from the Albany County Executive’s Office.

The Albany County Public Defender’s Office is not making phone calls, asking for money to be wired to bail out a relative. Phone scammers have reportedly targeted senior citizens and told them to go to local convenience stores to wire money or mail it, the release says. The caller says he’s with the Albany County Public Defender’s Office.

“Albany County does not make calls to people telling them a relative is in trouble and that they should wire money to our offices,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy in the release. “This attempt to prey on our most vulnerable citizens is disgraceful and we have taken swift action to alert local law-enforcement agencies to this scam.”

If you receive any such calls, the release advises, do not send any money and call your local police department to report the incident.