Scam Squad

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, shares the scams they're seeing more often. Here is a brief description of them: You are asked to verify a purchase. (Often, the purchase in question is said to be from Amazon or Paypal. People often panic when they think that they've been charged for a large purchase they didn't make. But BEWARE! Instead of corresponding with Amazon or Pay Pal, you may be speaking to a scammer who is trying to get your banking information. Shawn reports that the Utility Scam is still rearing its ugly heard. Someone will contact you, pretending to be from your utiility copany, threatening to shut off your services unless you immediately pay up! While scammers previously asked for payment by Gift Cards, (always a scam), more recently the scammer is likely to request payment with a p to p app such as Zelle of Venmo. (That's because the money is transferred to the scammer quickly!) Don't Fall For It! Companies are NOT going to ask you to pay this way. Lastly, people are getting calls from scammers who say you were overcharged and they want to give you a refund. Then they say that they mistakenly sent too much money, eliciting sympathy from the victim by telling them they're afraid they'll be fired if they don't get the overpayment back. (For example, the scammer said they were sending $350, but accidentally sent $35,000.) The scammer begs the victim to wire back the overpayment. Many people would not fall for this scam. But the particular woman that Shawn spoke of was elderly and very vulnerable. Even though the bank refused to make the wire transfer because they were suspicious, this elderly woman is now on the Scammer's Sucker List and it's likely they will continue to harass her with other scams. If you are caring for an elderly person who is vulnerable to these types of scams, ask them to use an answering machine or voice mail and to NEVER answer calls if they don't recognize the name on the caller ID. If you'd like to report a scam, please call the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Just in time for your summer vacation, this episode delivers a warning about Airbnb Scams. Some people are shocked to find that when they arrive at their destination, their lodging is not available. There are several possible explanations that the scammer may use. You may be told that there are plumbing problems or that the lodging was damaged by the previous tennant. You may be offered inferior lodging but it's likely to be more expensive. In desperation, weary travelers are likely to accept the offer! Here's are some Best Practices to Try & Avoid Airbnb Poser Scams: - Stay on the Airbnb site when having conversations with the property owner. Ask a lot of questions. - Read reviews. If the reviews came in at about the same time, they may have been falsely created by scammers. - Make sure you see pictures of the inside of the property, not just the outside. - Be VERY suspicious if you're asked to pay with Bitcoin or Gift Cards. - Do a reverse search of the Airbnb rental property photo. - If the problem crops up before you leave for the trip, ask the owner to cancel the reservation. Then look for another place to stay. Another scam that travelers need to watch out for are phony airline booking sites, pretending to sell airline tickets. Be sure to double check the URL code and phone number of the business and always check with the airline to be sure your tickets were actually booked. Also, use a credit card to purchase the tickets; you'll have a better chance of disputing the charge and getting your money back. Vicki also warned about a phone message that people are receiving, telling them their iCloud account was breached. Don't take the call! Then at the end, we'll hear some GOOD NEWS!

Special Guest, Dayton Aldrich, discusses victim restitution before describing Skimmers & Malicious QR codes. These days, skimmers are harder to spot than ever before, because they may be miniscule cameras--which can record your credit card number and pin codes. The best practice to avoid skimmers is to go into the store or the gas station and to use your credit card (rather than a debit card) because you are more likely to be able to dispute the charges. Malicious QR codes have also been springing up more and more and Dayton reminds us that QR codes are just a representation of a url link. When you scan the code with your camera or an app on your cell phone, it can take you to a malicious website, steal info from your phone, or install junk & pornography. We talk all the time about not clicking on mysterious links but remember, QR codes are just links,. Don't hold your camera up to one unless you're sure it's from a safe source. Also, teach your kids not to scan every QR code they come across! Vicki reports about a woman who contacted her FRAUD HOTLINE after realizing that she had unknowingly been a money mule. (Thankfully, she figured it out and was generous enough to share her experience to warn others.) And finally, Vicki shares a story about a romance scammer who was apprehended and sentenced. It was a very full episode!

Workers are drawn to Cambodia through social media advertisements promising high-paying jobs. As soon as they arrive in the country, their travel documents are seized and they are held and forced by racketeers to make scam calls in their own languages. Those who refuse are subject to various forms of abuse and mistreatment. They are assaulted, whipped, and electrocuted. Some get beaten up and others get locked in dark rooms without food. In mid-March, 35 civil society groups urged the Cambodian government to address “a crisis of forced labor, slavery, and torture” in facilities that it described as “slave compounds.” Since October, more than 800 Thai men and women have been rescued from scam call centers in Cambodia. It's estimated that more than 1,000 Thais are still working in scam call centers in cities like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Poipet. There is mounting evidence that these are regionally coordinated, and linked to other illicit activity, such as the massive drug trafficking syndicates that operate in eastern Myanmar. If the criminals continue to outpace regional law enforcement capacities, it is likely that we will see many more such stories in the months to come.

Doris Roof, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust warns us about fraudsters who work in pairs to intercept the verification code sent by your bank. Here’s how it works: One crook (who pretends to be the bank customer/debit card holder) calls the bank. Most often, the crook asks for an address change, an increase in their card limit or a travel exemption. (With a travel exemption, the crooks pretend they are traveling out of their typical area and ask for out of area charges to be approved…a very convenient way for the crook to get their charges approved!) A second crook is waiting for the verification code and gives it to the first crook so they can provide it to the bank, assuring them that they’re a legitimate customer. If the bank believes they are really talking to their customer (and not a crook), they are likely to approve the address change, increased limit, or travel exemption. How to Avoid this Scam: Do NOT respond to an unexpected text or call from your bank, even if they say there has been fraud on your account. (Remember, the caller ID can be spoofed, making it look as if the call is from your bank.) Instead, hang up and call the 800 number on the back of your debit card. Are You Responsible for the Loss? Often, the bank or merchant will take the loss. With debit cards, Regulation E protects banking customers who use electronic methods to transfer money. However, the fraud must be reported within 60 days, so be sure to check your bank statements monthly, or preferably more often.

Jeanne never thought she'd be taken in by a scam. But when she received an email from her elderly neighbor, asking her to purchase gift cards for her, she never thought that it might really be a scammer... As Deputy District Attorney often says, "There's a scam for everyone." At the end of the show, Vicki shares some good news from the Department of Justice, who cracked down on medical providers who took part in Covid-Related medicare fraud.

Don’t miss this special episode with dynamo, Debbie Deem, who formerly worked as an FBI Victim Specialist. Rather than calling herself retired, Debbie prefers the term UNLEASHED, as she continues to tirelessly advocate for fraud victims, who are often shamed and treated differently than violent crime victims. Debbie wants to break the stigma that fraud victims face. These are NOT victimless crimes. Often people lose their life savings, face bankruptcy, or are extorted. Debbie points out that the words we use are important. Rather than calling perpetrators scammers, she prefers words that call them out for what they are—perpetrators, criminals, and fraudsters. We need to stop blaming the victims and stop making them feel foolish. Often, they are so embarrassed and ashamed that they don’t report what happened to them. She reminds us of something that Deputy District Attorney often says, “There is a scam for everyone.”

Two scams that former FBI Victim advocate Debbie Deem talks about in this episode are the Sim Swap, where scammers get your personal information and are able to get your mobile phone carrier to transfer your phone to them and scams that involve artificial intelligence (AI). It may seem like science fiction, but more and more, scammers are able to produce audio and video recordings that sound and look like someone you know personally or a famous person. It is getting to the point where we can’t believe our own eyes and ears! Debbie feels that this type of scam will be more common in the near future and wants people to be on the lookout for it.

Patti - In this episode, I describe a part-time job solicitation and offer that I received via email. In some ways it seemed legitimate. The email said that they would not ask for any money from me, and that I would receive a 1099. For just a few hours of work a week, I could make several thousand dollars. They said they wanted me to process payments--quite a vague job description. And I wondered, why would they want me to process their payments? I did not pursue it any further but Vicki felt it was most likely an overseas scam that wanted an American to launder money for them. I ended communication with them and don't know for sure what they really wanted me to do, but it was most likely a scam. Vicki said that a common scam involves having Americans send and receive packages, perhaps containing illegal goods. That may have been what they meant by 'processing.' Remember, if a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Dang it! Here are some tips for spotting scams involving job offers: 1. Search for the company website online. Keep in mind that fake websites can look very real. 2. Don't give out your personal, banking, or credit card information. (Legitimate jobs may eventually ask for some of these things but not until after you've signed a contract and have thoroughly checked out the company. ) 3. If you have to pay start up fees, pay for a background check or use your own bank account it's likely a scam. To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, or to report a scam, call the Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Shawn Dyer from Montecito Bank & Trust says that several of their customers have been scammed out of money just when they needed it the most. They went online searching for fast cash and unfortunately, applied for loans on fraudulent sites, giving thieves access to their banking information on the loan applicataion. Usually, they also provided the crooks with personal information that could lead to identity theft. She advises people to read reviews and to call loan companies before applying for a fast cash loan. Shawn reported that check fraud is on the rise, especially for businesses. Companies are mailing checks to their vendors but their mail gets stolen by crooks who change the payee on the check. She explains the lengthy process to try and get your money refunded after the forged check is cashed by the fraudster. Once again, we're reminded not to drop checks in a public mailbox and to NEVER leave it in your own mailbox with the flag up. If you feel as if you or someone you care about has been the victim of a scam, call Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson on the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

Don't miss this episode! A brave college student, (who we'll call Mary), shares her story to help others. Mary had just moved out of her family home when she received a phone call from a woman who claimed to be from Border Control and Customs. The officer told Mary that they had a package addressed to her. Inside the package, they claimed they'd found $70,000 in cash, illegal drugs, and fake IDs. Mary spoke to two other people who claimed to be law enforcement officials. Each time she spoke to someone, they gave their names and Badge Numbers--making them seem legitimate. Mary had the presence of mind to look up their names online and found that they were the real names of law enforcement officers in her area. The scammers told Mary they'd found six bank accounts under her name containing hundreds of thousands of dollars. They threatened her with prison and fines and said that if she didn't comply with their demands, they'd immediately issue a warrant for her arrest. The crooks said that all the bank accounts would be closed (including Mary's legitimate account) and demanded that Mary withdraw all her money and use it to purchase a financial bond. The scammers scared Mary and wore her down. She withdrew the money from her bank account and continued to follow their directions to purchase the financial bonds, which turned out to be Gift Cards. Mary was in the middle of giving the scammers the numbers on the Gift Cards when she realized that this was an elaborate scam. She called 911 and went to the San Luis Obispo Police Station. The police officer who met Mary told her that there was no warrant for her arrest and confirmed that it was a scam. Follow Up: Mary said that a friend of hers recently received the same threatening phone call. Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson pointed out that people from all walks of life are targeted by scammers and as a follow up to Mary's story, shared information on how scammers purchase data that allows them to obtain personal information to contact their victims.

In this insightful episode, we'll gain an understanding of why young people become scammers in Jamaica. A woman (who called herself Candance) told her story in the Jamaica Gleaner. She describes how she followed in her brother's footsteps and quit high school to begin working as a lottery scammer. Candance said, "I left school because while it could prepare me for the future--I needed a way out NOW! My now situation was hunger, discrimination and the many distractions that come from living in the garrison." She went from living in poverty to making $90,000 in her first three days. By the second week, she'd made nearly $500,000. She has been able to purchase homes and has invested in several money making ventures. Candance says she feels bad for her victims and would like to quit. However, it's not so easy... The Lottery Scam is run by criminal gangs who demand a percentage of what the scammer brings in. If you don't pay them--you could be killed. Eighty per cent of the murders and shootings in Jamaica are related to Lottery Scams. Candance says, "We have police, teachers, politicians and even doctors who are scamming. The current law was hastily established but it is just another basket given to carry water so there is very little that the police can do about lotto scamming." The scams target the elderly, especially those living in the United States. Victims are told that they've won the lottery or are a finalist for a grand prize worth millions. There's only one catch; they have to send money to pay the taxes before they can collect their winnings. This leads them down a rabbit hole as they continually are asked to send more and more money in hopes of receiving the Grand Prize. Often, the scammer becomes best friends with the elderly victim, all the while increasing the pressure on them to send more and more money until finally, it's all gone.

Charity Scams have been around for quite a while. Unfortunately, because of the heartbreaking situation in Ukraine, many scam artists are trying to take advantage of the situation by pretending to be legitimate charities when they're not. Beware of charities that use copy-cat names that are similar to a well-known charity. Don't click on unknown links or give out your personal information. If a charity asks you to give with a gift card, peer to peer app or wire transfer, it's a scam! Make your donation through a check or credit card. Some charities may not be out and out scams, but can they effectively deliver aid in war-torn regions? Do they have experience getting into impacted areas? Do your research before you give! Here are some sites where you can research charities: https://www.give.org https://www.charitynavigator.org https://www.charitynavigator.org BBB also has an article on tips to help Ukraine Relief Activities: https://www.bbb.org/article/news-rele...

In this episode an older man is targeted by a young woman from the Philippines who claimed to be a victim of health issues and a devastating typhoon. Rather than being a young woman who was having a string of bad luck, this was a scammer who came up with one sad story after another, convincing the big-hearted gentleman to send money. Remember, NEVER send money to someone you have not met in person. If you suspect you are being conned by someone who is perpetrating the romance scam, talk to someone you are close to for their input and advice. You can also call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Hotline and speak to a Fraud Specialist at 877-908-3360. Or, call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. The episode ends with a Good News Story. Two brothers in Maryland were convicted and sentenced to three years in Federal Prison after laundering money for Romance Scammers in Ghana to the tune of more than six million dollars!

Doris Roof, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, warns listeners to only use Zelle to pay people you know! Scammers are pretending to be from companies who are requesting payments through Zelle. Don't fall for it! A legitimate company will not request a payment through Zelle. The scammers are talking people into letting them access their computers remotely, pretending that they want to help them set up a Zelle account to make an instant payment. Once the money has been sent through Zelle, there is very little chance that it can be recovered! Call Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson on the Santa Barbara County Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442, to report a scam.

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According to the Federal Trade Commission, there has been an 80% increase in 'Romance Scams' in the last year. In one common scenario, scammers target lonely widows. (This typically takes place on social media sites such as Facebook or Instagram.) Often, the scammers say they have also been heartbroken by the loss of a spouse and send a warm and empathetic message. Gradually, the scammer wins the trust of their victim--and they chat frequently. Eventually the scammer asks for money. Rather than asking for money for themselves, they may pretend to be giving their victim information on an investment opportunity, which often involves cryptocurrency. This is a particularly cruel scam because in addition to losing money, the victim is heartbroken and humiliated to have fallen for the scammer's lies. The victim may unknowingly break the law by becoming a 'money mule', following the scammers instructions to transfer money into other accounts--inadvertantly helping the scammer to 'launder' money. To avoid falling for this cruel scam, the FTC shares the following tips: - Don't send money to someone you haven't met in person. - Don't buy gift cards or wire money to someone you haven't met in person. - Don't follow the financial advice of someone you haven't met in person and be especially wary of requests to purchase cryptocurrency or to wire money. - Talk to friends and family about the online relationship. - If your new friend has sent you a photograph, do a reverse image search. - Google their name. - Report suspicious profiles or messages to dating apps and social media platforms. - Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov - If you live in the Santa Barbara area, call Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson on the Santa Barbara County Fraud Hotline at 805-563-2442

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, warns listeners about QR Scams. They have received a warning from the FBI about cyber criminals who tamper with QR codes which redirect victims to malicious sites. When scanning QR codes, be sure they have not been tampered with, (such as having a sticker placed over them), and that the URL address you are taken to is legitimate. Also, do not download an app from a QR code and if a person you know sends you a QR code, confirm it's really from them.

Investment Scams take people in most often followed by romance scams. Oftentimes, scammers are able to trick their victims by using information found on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. While it's often assumed that seniors are scammed most often, people between the ages of 18 and 39 are twice as likey to report losing money to scammers. The phony kiidnapping scam, (where a scammer demands ransom money in exchange for the release of a loved one), continues to terrorize victims. In reality, no one is kidnapped but once again the scammer uses information found on social media, giving them convincing details to make the kidnapping believable so that their ransom will be paid.

Sometimes you may end up on a scammer's list no matter how careful you are. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk: 1. Don't fill out consumer/marketing surveys. 2. Don't fill out surveys attached to warranty registration cards. 3. Don't fill out sweepstakes forms. 4. Exercise 'opt out' rights whenever you have the chance. 5. When giving money to a charity, enclose a note instructing them not to share, sell, or rent your name to any other organization. 6. Donate to established charities. Give by check or credit card, not through wires, gift cards or cash.

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In this special interview with Deputy District Attorney Casey Nelson, you'll learn how the Santa Barbara District Attorney's office worked together with the Santa Barbara Police Department in an intensive investigation that lasted for more than two years, leading to the apprehension of crooks who made off with BILLIONS in California unemployment benefits. Learn how the crooks breached a property management company's data base to gain access to people's identity, and how they were finally CAUGHT!

Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, Doris Roof, sounds the alarm about the dangers of real estate fraud. Currently, home buyers are often closing very quickly and it's vitally important to be sure to verify that the escrow instructions emailed to you are coming from your realtor and escrow company--and not a fraudster.. Once the wire is sent, your money could be lost forever. Pick up the phone to verify the wire instructions before sending the money!

As we start a new year, many of us are determined to get in shape and lose weight. Beware of companies advertising quick weight loss with their 'special formulas'! In this episode, special guest and ciminologist, Dr. Judy Christman Yates, shares tips to help us recognize unreputable companies and scams! Then, Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, issues a warning about phony Covid-19 tests and testing sites. Don't miss this timely episode!

Criminologist, Dr Judy Christman Yates, gives great advice on shredding or burning personal information, making sure your online passwords are safe, two-step login authentication and even your car’s GPS system. Don’t miss this important episode and be sure your personal information stays safe!

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Does your purse or wallet feel like a filing cabinet? Crooks want wallets for MORE than the cash they contain. With the information they may find, fraudsters often steal our identity to open bank accounts and credit cards in OUR NAMES! Stay safe by taking the time to clean out your wallet or purse today!

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust shares the following warnings: 1. Don't unsubscribe to an unwanted email by clicking on a link you receive in an email or text. It can be another way for scammers to install malware on your computer. Instead, go to the company's legitimate website and safely unsubscribe. 2. If you are a business owner, or work at a business and receive an invoice via email, asking you to send payments to a new account, be very, very cautious. The email may look like it came from the person you usually do business with but look closely at who it's from. A very small email address variation from the sender is a RED FLAG! Pick up the phone and call your contact to confirm the email really came from them.

Supply chain issues have made some items, such as popular toys, hard to find. Scammers have been taking advantage of this problem by creating phony websites and links featuring these hard-to-find items. In this episode of Scam Squad, learn how to recognize phony websites and links that can cause BIG problems!

With the holidays upon up, porch pirates are once again stealing our packages. Be sure to listen to these tips to keep your precious packages safe from thieves!

No one is immune from being targeted by scammers; not even a judge! In this episode of Scam Squad, Retired Superior Court Judge, George Eskin, shares his story of how scammers targeted him--and how they hacked into private email correspondence, giving them private details/information that made them seem very believable. Luckily, the Judge didn't fall for the scam. Learn what tipped him off so that you don't fall for it either.

When a woman believes she is corresponding with her friend (who has really hacked her friend's account), she is led down a primrose path with promises of a $90,000 grant--but first, she needs to pay a few fees, to the tune of $12,000. Beware of this vicious scam!

Montecito Bank & Trust warns that scammers may call to question an Amazon transaction. They may pretend to be confirming a transaction which they feel may be fraudulent but they're really trying to get your person/financial information. Another scam involves logging into your Amazon account or convincing you to allow them to access it remotely. Don't fall for it!

Special guest, Carol Baizer, from the Independent Living Resource Center of the Tri-Counties, shares a threatening voice mail from a fraudulant bill collector. While it sounds official, Baizer points out that the caller omitted vital information such as what the bill was for and what agency they were with. The caller did, however, ask for a call-back where they most certainly would have tried to get the intended victim to pay them. The Independent Living Resource Center assists individuals with disabilitie s and among other things, helps them to navigate social security, medicare and medicaid. They are a national organization. The Independent Living Resource Center of the Tri-Counties serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. https://ilrc-trico.org/

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Senior Fraud Specialist Shawn Dyer, from Montecito Bank & Trust, reminds us to only use P to P apps to pay friends or family. She warns us that fraudsters are requesting payments via P to P apps such as Venmor or Zelle and then don't provide the goods. Also, caller ID can be spoofed so don't be fooled! If you receive a call that says it's from your bank, call them back instead of trusting that it's really from them! Subscribe to Scam Squad today so you don't miss an important Scam Alert!

Beware of emails which appear to come from friends, but aren't what you'd expect to receive from them. In this special edition of Scam Scam, a retired defense attorney shares the red flags he recognized when a board member from an organization he's a member of asked for gift cards for what seemed to be a 'good cause.' Then, the County of Santa Barbara's restitution specialist, Dayton Aldrich, shares great tips which include: changing your password, having a computer specialist check for malware or ransomware, using a VPN server, and changing your social media settings to make them as private as possible. He also recommends using passphrases rather than passwords, and to have a different password for every single site. If this seems overwhelming, there are password apps that can do it for you, such as Lastpass. Dayton also reccommended the useful site, haveIbeenpwned.com, where you can put in your email address or password and be shown where your accounts may have exposed and/or breached.

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Doris Roof, Fraud Manager at Montecito Bank & Trust, shares a warning from processors of debit and credit cards. Fraudsters have found a way to trigger an alert about a suspicious transaction (which they instigated). After you receive a two-step verification code, the crooks call you and pretend to be your bank. They may request the two-step verification code that you were sent, pretending to try to help you. Don't fall for it! It's a ruse to gain access to your account so they can reset your password and gain access to your account. Remember, the caller ID may LOOK like it's coming from your own financial institution! Always call your bank directly after researching their legitimate phone number! Be sure to subscribe to Scam Squad so you don't miss any important Scam Alerts!

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PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE SCAM IS BACK by Hub for Podcasting

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Santa Barbara Police Officers, together with the Secret Service, work quickly and recover 50 K to a ninety-year old gentleman who was scammed by ruthless con-artists who used the Social Security Scam.

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust, reports on the Craigslist Overpayment Scam and Tech Support Scams. Beware of fraudsters who overpay or try to get you off the Craigslist platform for your communications. Don’t click on links that pop up on your computer or phone, telling you that you’re having a technical problem. And once again, we’re reminded that gift cards should NEVER be used as a form of payment

Deputy District Attorney, Vicki Johnson, speaks to criminologist, Dr Judy Christman Yates, who walks listeners through steps that can be taken to stop unsolicited junk mail and 'junk phone calls.' Together, they also review the guidelines that legitimate telemarketers MUST follow. If they don't, you're urged to file a complaint with the FTC. Telemarketers who are violating the guidelines face serious fines and the FTC means business! If you live in the Santa Barbara area and would like to report a scam, call the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

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Dayton Aldrich, restitution specialist for the County of Santa Barbara shares tips on how to choose a financial advisor. Then, Jeannie West, from Hospice of Santa Barbara, shares a personal story of sending money to a scammer through Western Union. The story has a happy ending because Western Union has been ordered to pay back victims who sent money through Western Union and after more than ten years, Jeanne received her money back!