SOUTHAMPTON — The Southampton Police Department has issued a scam alert and is requesting information from the public after a local family was recently targeted and lost a “significant amount” of money.

According to the Police Department, the family was victimized by a “bail scam” in which someone calls potential victims telling them that a loved one has been arrested or is being held on bail. The fraudster poses as a representative of the courts or law offices and requests that bail money be paid to a representative of the court who is nearby, and will stop by the victim’s home to collect the money, according to police.

“Whatever you do, don’t send or give money until you’ve spoken with the police or family members,” the Police Department wrote in a statement.

The police are also requesting any information from the public regarding a vehicle parked along the roadway between 52 and 100 Russellville Road on Monday between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Joel Kupeyan at jkupeyan@southamptonpolice.com.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.