The Minnesota judicial branch said Tuesday that it has learned of a phone scam in which recipients are receiving phony calls about jury service.

Residents and prospective jurors from Olmsted, Rice, Dakota and Ramsey counties have reported receiving phone messages stating that they had failed to return a jury summons and asking for a return call. When they do so, someone named Angel answers the phone and asks probing questions.

Prospective jurors in Scott County have reported being contacted by someone who says there is a warrant out for their arrest. The caller identified himself as Major Paul Stevens, Badge 7612.

People who receive similar calls should report them to law enforcement, authorities said.

DAVID CHANEN