Scam Squad

COVID-19 VIRUS SCAMS by Hub for Podcasting

Beware of dropping off payments in mailboxes as scammers are literally fishing them out--and altering the payee and/or amount. Also, a warning about being contacted through emails and texts by scammers, who are pretending to verify your login information so they can gain access to your Pay to Pay (P2P) accounts (such as Venmo or Zelle). Once they have your banking login information they can set up a new P2P account and steal money directly from your bank account!

SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS by Hub for Podcasting

IMPOSTOR SCAMS by Hub for Podcasting

WHAT IS IC3? by Hub for Podcasting

As more people are sheltering in place, crooks are actually stealing mail from private and public mailboxes. They look for mail containing checks that they can alter and cash themselves. Don't miss this timely episode!

A gentleman who thought he had purchased horses from a legitimate seller was scammed by a crook who didn't deliver. But you'll be inspired when you hear how he managed to turn the tables on the scammer! This is SURE to be one of your favorite episodes!!

March 28 - 2020

March 14th, 2020. Slam the Scam is the latest advise. Find out what it's all about.

March 7, 2020. Corona Virus Scams. Many Scams are now out there about the Corona Virus. To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or to tell your story on Scam Squad to help others, (no matter where you live), call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Subscribe to Scam Squad’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos Also, BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Report scams to warn others so they can avoid similar cons. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

Debit Card Compromise is more common than you'd think! Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank and Trust, explains how crooks are getting hold of your card number, and processing a small transaction as a test that you might not even notice. Don't miss this important warning!!! To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or to tell your story on Scam Squad to help others, (no matter where you live), call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Subscribe to Scam Squad’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos Also, BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Report scams to warn others so they can avoid similar cons. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

February 20th, 2020 Tech Support Refund. A new twist on an old scam. To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or to tell your story on Scam Squad to help others, (no matter where you live), call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Subscribe to Scam Squad’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos Also, BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Report scams to warn others so they can avoid similar cons. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

February 15th, 2020. There is a phone scam going around that tries to get your Social Security information and even credit card information. Beware of these phone scams! To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or to tell your story on Scam Squad to help others, (no matter where you live), call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Subscribe to Scam Squad’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos Also, BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Report scams to warn others so they can avoid similar cons. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

Bit coin and Cryptocurrency introduction 101. Featuring Dr. Judy Christman Yates To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or to tell your story on Scam Squad to help others, (no matter where you live), call the Santa Barbara Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Subscribe to Scam Squad’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScamSquad/videos Also, BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Report scams to warn others so they can avoid similar cons. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

February 1st, 2020. Montecito Bank and Trust fraud specialist, Doris Roof, warns listeners about emails and texts from fraudsters claiming to be Fed-X or Amazon, asking you to confirm a package delivery. Once you click on the link, they'll ask you for your credit card information. If you're not expecting a package, don't click the link! It's very likely a Smishing scam to get your information and fraudulently charge your card! She also warns consumers on steps to take when a credit or debit card is stolen. And on how crooks insert card readers in debit machines to get your card's pin. Lastly, we're reminded once again, that it's a huge RED FLAG if you're asked to pay for something with a gift card. And lastly, Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson shares some good news!!! Sometimes people can get refunds when scammers are caught which is why it's important to report them. If you've been scammed, contact https://www.ftc.gov

Jan 18, 2020. CRAIG'S LIST SCAMS AGAIN & AGAIN. Hear another pmr of millions of Craig's List scams, this time $10,000 Craig's List Scam. When are people ever going to learn to stay away from this sesspool.

December 28th, 2918. The Facebook 2 Scams in 1. Beware of all kinds of scams on Facebook. Crooks and scammers may try to make friends with you through Facebook and run a romance scam and other scams on you.

December 21st, 2019. Beware of the Fake Rental Scam and other scams that are prevalent during the Holiday Season

December 14, 2019. ROBO CALLS, WEIGHT LOSS SCAMS, & MORE. Expert Vicki Johnson updates us on the latest scams in our area.

Scam Expert Vicki Johnson explains the dangers of Gift Card scams around the Holidays. Much, much more money needs to be spent to educated everyone on scams as well as catching these scammers worldwide by every means possible. Write and complain to your government State, federal, and local officials such as your Congressman, Senators, President, Governor, etc. Instead of seriously fighting scams, the US wastes so much money on unnecessary defense spending nearly two trillion dollars a year, thirty times more money than Russia and China combined spend , just to have over a thousand military bases in over 140 countries and territories around the world that make us less safe. as well as giving away hundreds of billions of dollars to crooked and corrupt governments like Ukraine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and various crooks and dictators the US supports, instead of spending money on fighting scams. Write your representatives now, for more money to be spent on fighting Scams.

November 30, 2019. `A fraud specialist from Montecito Bank and Trust gives advice on protecting yourself--especially during the holiday season. They discuss the benefits of apps such as Card-Valet and share valuable tips to help you protect your accounts during the Holidays

November 23, 2019. The FAILED TO APPEAR IN COURT SCAM is a new version of the old Jury Duty Scam. A phony police officer calls to tell you that you are in violation for Failure to Appear in Court for a law suit. Listen how to avoid this new kind of scam and what to do if this scam is tried on you.

November 16th, 2019. Fake Products Online. Now that the holidays are here, we need to watch out for thousands of dangerous counterfeit and banned items for sale on the internet, especially from Amazon. Listen to Vicki explain the details so that you will be prepared to safeguard you and your family from buying these dangerous items online.

Nov 9, 2019. The Lottery Scams. Hear how a senior couple got cheated out of $30,000 in a Lottery Scam and what you can do to protect yourself from this scam that's been around for many decaces.

November 2nd, 2019. Protect your bank accounts and cards while on vacationing.

October 26th, 2019. SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM. Another woman was swindled out of all her life savings, over $30,000.00 in an elaborate Social Security fraud and scam. Listen to Patti and Vicki retell all the frightening details of the latest scam on Scam Squad.

October 19, 2019. INTERNET DATING ROMANCE SCAMS. Learn how to spot the crooks who take advantage of those looking for love on dating and romance websites. There are a lot of impostors calling from out of the U.S., that are very skilled are romancing people out of there money. Learn all about it in this week's episode.

October 5th, 2019. Yes, even highly intelligent and cautions people fall victims of scams, especially the Grandparents Scam. Hear how a very smart and cautious woman got taken for over $4,000 by a group of con-artists acting out the drama known as The Grandparents Scam.

September 28, 2019. Doris, the Chief Risk Officer, from Montecito Bank and Trust, goes over the recent bank scams being played now, such as the ACH Scam.

September 21st, 2019. SPECIAL BBB INTERVIEW. This week on Scam Squad, we have a special 28 minute interview with The Better Business Bureau as well as an example of the BBB's new radio and podcast show. Scam Squad and the BBB is a one - two punch against scams and scammers. Both provide information and action against scams and consumer fraud as well as prosecuting those who scam and defraud our citizens. Hope you enjoy this rare interview which will help to empower you and your family to be scam-proof.

September 12, 2019, Affinity fraud is a form of investment fraud in which the fraudster preys upon members of identifiable groups, such as religious or ethnic communities, language minorities, the elderly, or professional groups. The fraudsters who promote affinity scams frequently are – or successfully pretend to be – members of the group. They often enlist respected community or religious leaders from within the group to spread the word about the scheme, by convincing those people that a fraudulent investment is legitimate and worthwhile. Many times, those leaders become unwitting victims of the fraudster's ruse.

September 10th, 2019, ACH Scams are on the rise. Crooks look for and often times steal checks from mailboxes inorder to get the account and routing numbers of your checks inorder to scam you with phony ACH accounts on your checking account. Learn how to avoid being so very easily scammed by the ACH Scam.

September 7th, 2019. The Fertilizer Scam is the latest version on the door to door Home Improvement Scam. As in most of these door to door scams, the crooks offer the homeowner a very low or very reasonable price to fertilize and aureate the from lawn. However, when the job is done, the homeowner is presented with an outrageous bill because the crooks claim they had to perform extra work. The crooks will demand payment and refuse to leave and even threaten to call the police on the homeowner unless they get paid for the inflated bill. Learn how to deal with or avoid this scam all together.

August 31, 2019. Secret Shopper Scam has been around a long time. There are agencies and employers who legitimately advertise for people to work as Secret Shoppers. However, there are also some crooks that set up phony agencies and advertise to reel in and defraud unsuspecting job hunters that want to work as secret shoppers.

August 24th, 2019. Even though your bank will credit your account from a check you deposited or cashed, be aware that the check may still bounce up to a month or more latter if it turns out to be fraudulent or phony. Listen and learn how to protect yourself from the misconception or false notion that the check you cashed or deposited must be good simply because it cleared the bank and credited your account or gave you cash back. Too many bank customers have been surprised when a month later the check turns out to be a fake and the bank expects you to refund them the amount of the phony check.

August 17, 2019. Beware of using those big blue US Post Office mailing bins to mail out your checks. Crooks are increasingly fishing out mail from those big blue US mailboxes and later searching for mailed checks. They will alter the checks so that they are the payee and cash them. Listen how they do it as well as how to protect yourself when mailing out your checks.

August 10, 2019. The phony email from your church is a new low for scammers and crooks. They send out a phone email to church members, asking for donations to help an emergency situation at church. Learn what the Red Flags are for this and other kinds of phony email requests for money for phony emergencies.

August 03, 2019 The Sweepstakes Scam is an old scam that remains quite prevalent even today.

July 27, 2019 - Vicki & Patti have a guest on the show who witnessed up close an attempted CAR WASH SCAM at a senior trailer park. The crooks easily obtain a list of seniors who may be vulnerable to falling for scams. They go to the victims residence and act as if a Car Washing and Auto Detailing session was set up by the victim. When the victim says they didn't not schedule such a cleaning, the crooks try to high pressure sell the senior into agreeing go it, but if the owner says no, the crooks become pushy, mean and threatening in order to scare the victim into doing the car wash and detailing. Listen for all the details on this episode of Scam Squad.

Two Fraud Specialists from Montecito Bank tell us how to detect, prevent, and resolve all types of fraud that can happen with bank customers. This also includes fraud scams such as the ever popular Romance Scams. Learn how to recognize the Big Red Flags of the various scams.

Beware of people trying to get you to do a FREE Genetic Screening test that is supposed to be covered by Medicare. Listen to this episode about this latest scam cooked up by crooks and scammers in our neighborhood and cities.

Watch out for misleading ads on Vacation Packages that offer to good to be true prices. Learn how to have a successful vacation without the scams.

A victim loses $11,000 by scammer posing as a Social Security investigator. Learn important tips on how not to be a victim of this type of scam.

The new Scam Tracker Risk Report is out and gives everything you'd want to know about Scam Risk Statistics. Very interesting results this year.

May 25, 2019 - BEWARE OF PEOPLE YOU MEET ON THE INTERNET AND ESPECIALLY FACEBOOK who try to get you interested in applying for a free GOVERNMENT GRANTS. There are many scams out there right now where people you meet on social media sites will try to get you to apply for grant money. They say it's free, but then end up charging you hundreds or thousands of dollars up front for fees such as shipping and handling fees, processing fees, IRS fees, etc. Vicki says that if you have to pay out money for things like that up front in order to get grant money, then it is a scam. Listen to this amazing interview with the poor, broken hearted victim of this horrible scam.

Learn how to protect against your bank accounts from being drained out by crooks who obtain your personal information.

Beware of fake police and sheriff's department calls about owing for back traffic fines where the caller keeps you on your cell phone the entire time while having you get green dot cards or similar money vouchers. The crooks know how to spoof their telephone numbers to show up on your cell phone as law enforcement agencies. Listen to the podcast to learn how to detect and prevent scams.

Beware of door-to-door contractors knocking on your door trying to talk you into repair or cleanup jobs. Also, beware of out of town contractors that call you at home with too good to be true low cost repairs and cleanup work. There is a high risk of them being a crook.

Two different incidents last week where crooks stole social security numbers from private medical records and were able to steal two different people out of their entire life's savings bank accounts.

Be on guard against Robo Calls that are Impostor Scams that pretend to be the IRS, police, utilities, and other entities trying to pressure you into acting too quickly to resolve some threat they make up such as threat they will arrest you, or cut off your water, or take you to court unless you send them green dot cards or cash immediately.