FLORENCE -- Police are warning residents about an Internet scam that has already claimed victims in the Shoals.

Florence police detective Jerry Pearson said the scams are primarily targeting people using Facebook and Yahoo Message.

Pearson said people who are involved on those social networking sites are asked to do someone a favor by going to a local business and pick up an iPod and computer that the requester reports to have purchased online.

“They get the victim to either send them the items or sell them locally, and then send the money to an address that is posted on their social networking site,” Pearson said. “The catch is these items are purchased online with a stolen credit card.”

“We know of at least two people that have fallen victim to this social media scam in the area and we’re just trying to get the word out so people will be alert and not fall prey,” Pearson said.

Anyone being approached about the scam is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.