“Scam alert” popped up on cellphones across the area at 2:35 p.m. Monday.

At least, it did on the phones that have the new app from the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office released the Stanly Sheriff app this month as a new tool to help fight crime and keep the public informed.

Sheriff Jeff Crisco said data points to more people using apps on their phones than social media.

So the department made an app available for download.

“It’s just another way for us to be able to put information out to the community,” Crisco said. “It links directly to our social media and our website.”

It includes places for residents to submit feedback, look up the sex offender registry, apply for a concealed handgun permit, apply for a job and request a house check.

“They can share tips anonymously,” Crisco said.

More features will be added.

“It’s been extremely successful with sheriff’s offices across the state,” Crisco said.

As for the scam alert, the Sheriff’s Office warns individuals that there are “ongoing phone scams in which suspects pose as members of law enforcement to coerce victims into giving them money.”

According to the Sheriff’s Office app, “scams have variations but generally, the caller will identify themself as a law enforcement officer and tell the victim, falsely, that a warrant has been issued because they missed a court date, did not show up for jury duty have an overdue fine or something similar, and they will be arrested unless they pay right away.”

The Sheriff’s Office stresses it will never ask for money by phone. People who believe they have been scammed can call the office at 704-986-3714.

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.