CANTON -- The St Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office says St. Lawrence County residents should be aware of a Publisher’s Clearing House scam.

A person who the Sheriff’s Office describes as “an area resident” reported being contacted by someone claiming to be from the sweepstakes. The caller offered an $8.4 million award in exchange for a 1 percent fee up front as an IRS tax payment, which is Publisher’s Clearing House’s standard practice, Sheriff Kevin Wells said.

“Computer research quickly revealed that this exact scenario has occurred in other states with a recent example in Ohio less than a week ago costing a couple $25,000 for a promised award of $2.5 million,” Wells said in a prepared statement. “Residents are reminded that if it sounds too good to be true it is, and that you can sometimes successfully conduct internet research to confirm your suspicions and avoid becoming a victim.”