(KNZA)--An area police department is urging residents to be vigilant when it comes to protecting their identity and money.  

The warning is issued by the Hiawatha Police Department which, in a social media post, says they are actively investigating multiple reports of theft where some residents lost their money to scammers.  

According to the post, one incident of theft involves potential suspects in Florida, New York City and California.

The Department says they were contacted Wednesday by a local financial institution which reported their customers are being asked for personal information by an unknown person, who also instructs them to download a new banking app and for the scam-target to enter personal information into the smart phone application.

Residents are reminded not to do business with anyone they don't know, and not to give out personal information to such unknown callers.  

The post says if anyone attempts to obtain your personal information and/or money, and if you have even a remote thought it could be a scam, call, or visit, the Hiawatha Police Department at 785-742-2156.  Any other such scam attempts, attempted in other local locations, should be reported to the applicable agency.