FLORENCE — Authorities said a number of residents in the North Florence area have become targets of telephone scams.

“We’re getting a lot of calls about phone scams,” said Florence police officer Lee Smith. “It seems the people they are targeting are 70 and older.”

Smith said his shift is averaging two to three reports of the scams a week.

He said most of the reports are about someone calling to tell the victims they are about to receive money but they must pay a processing fee or they ask for personal information.

Michelle Mason, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, said her office in Huntsville and the Florence office of the BBB of North Alabama, routinely get several calls from the Shoals area.

Scams can be reported to the BBB through their consumer line at 256-740-8224 or on the BBB of North Alabama Facebook page.