Every day people ask me if an e-mail or text is a scam. The truth is that in almost every single case, it is a scam. If you get something you believe is a scam, do not click on any links, call or text them, or interact in any way. Absolutely do not give them your social security number, credit card,  or bank account information.

There are numerous scams out there. Some claim to be from the Sheriff/FBI/Police claiming that there is a warrant for your arrest and they will enforce the warrant unless you pay them money. It is obviously a scam because you cannot pay money to avoid a warrant and warrants are not issued for debts. We do not have debtors' prison in the United States.

Another common scam is an e-mail or text saying that they have charged your credit card/debit card for a product or warranty you never purchased. They then say if you have any questions, to call them. Their hope that you call and give them your credit card or bank account information so they can rip you off. You should ignore and block them.

There is also the "payday loan" scam. They e-mail or text you that you owe money for a payday loan you never took out in the first place and they try to get you to remit payment. They keep the amounts small (a few hundred dollars) thinking that you are more likely to send a payment if it is for a small amount. Ask yourself if you get this e-mail: did you ever even take out a payday loan?

There is the IRS scam. You can get a text or e-mail that they have learned that you owe money to the IRS and your failure to resolve it will lead to your prosecution. Everyone fears the IRS. Of course, the IRS does not communicate by text or e-mail.

There numerous other scams such as claiming you have won the Nigerian lottery and your need to remit payment to cash in your prize, that your computer has been hacked and you need to make a ransom payment to regain the use of your computer even though your computer is working just fine (although ransomware is a real thing and can happen), calls that your son/daughter needs money immediately and you should send payment, and many, many others.

Remember, do not provide any information to scammers. Never provide your social security number, credit card, debit card, or bank account information to anyone that makes you the least bit suspicious. If you think it is a scam, it probably is.