Olathe ? A northeast Kansas sheriff’s department says area businesses have lost thousands of dollars to scammers posing as deputies.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Tom Erickson says the thieves have been calling businesses — usually restaurants — asking to speak to a manager.

The Kansas City Star reports the caller says he’s a deputy and wants to get bail money for an employee of the business who’s been arrested.

Officials say the caller provides an employee name, description and reason for the arrest. The manager is asked to wire bond money to somewhere outside of Johnson County.

Erickson stresses that deputies would never solicit bond money from anyone.