Attempts by scam artists to steal from Washington Parish citizens seems never ending. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to receive inquiries from parish residents about phone calls they receive either offering prize money or threatening to have the caller arrested.

While it is impossible to list all scams, Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal offers some common-sense warnings.

• If the caller says you have won a cash prize and you have to pay money to receive your cash prize, it is a scam.

• If the caller says you will receive a cash prize if you purchase an insurance policy to guarantee the cash prize, it is a scam.

• If the caller says you have an outstanding warrant and will be arrested unless you pay money, it is a scam.

• If the caller says he or she is with Publisher’s Clearing House and you have won a cash prize, it is a scam.

• If the caller says he or she is with the Internal Revenue Service and you owe back taxes, it is a scam.

• If the caller says a friend or loved has been in a car wreck and needs for you to send them money, it is a scam.

• If the caller says a friend or loved one has been kidnapped and you must send ransom money, it is a scam.

• If the caller says a friend or loved one is in jail anywhere in the world and wants you to send money, it is a scam.

These are only a few examples of the many scams that are going on in Washington Parish and throughout the Florida Parishes.

“If it is too good to be true, it’s a scam,” Seal said. “If it is a law enforcement agency or the IRS threatening you, it’s a scam. The best thing to do is hang up the phone. Warn your friends and family members to do the same. If you are the victim of a scam, call and report the scam to law enforcement.”