Scam Squad

Criminologist Judy Yates is back this week with a whole load of dangerous new scams to tell us about such as the all new Apple products scam that is affecting all types of Apple devices and products. If you have Apple, you definitely should not miss this episode. Judy Yate is one of the best Criminologists in the USA.

This week Vicki talks about the Virtual Kidnapping Scam, which seems to be on the rise in our area. Essentially, a scammer calls you on your phone, claiming to have kidnapped a loved one of yours. They try to get you to pay ransom, but most often, the call is fake and your love one has not bee kidnapped. However, of course you don't want to take the chance of risking. Listen for full details.

This week, Vicki tells us all about the horrible destruction that Romance Scams play on entire families. It's not just the victims of Romance Scans that get their lives totally ruined. Even the most intelligent of people get sucked into these cruel scams and lose all their money, sometimes becoming homeless on the streets.

A.I., or Artificial Intelligence, is seriously increasing the success rate of many types of fraud and scams this year. Most people, especially seniors, do not know how Artificial Intelligence can easily fool them into being scammed out of thousands of dollars by a variety of old and new scams. In today’s episode, host Patti Teel and Senior Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson ask special guest scam fighter Shawn Dyer from Montecito Bank about how A.I. scams and frauds can fool you into losing huge amounts of money and how to help prevent it. RUNTIME aprox 14 mins

TAX SEASON SCAMS - This week we have one of our most popular returning Scam Squad guest, Criminologist Judy Yates. Because tax season is here, criminologist Judy Yates will focus on all of the latest new tax scams, as well as new changes in the old standard types of ruthless Tax Scams and frauds the scammers and fraudsters are throwing at us now. She will also give us sound tips on how to discover, prevent, and resolve these frauds.

CONFESSIONS OF A NIGERIAN ROMANCE SCAMMAR. You really don’t want to miss this episode about a Reformed Nigerian Romance Scammer who once scammed fifty women out of more than $85,000.00 by using a 40 page bible especially for Nigerian Scammers titled “How to Make a White Women Fall in Love with You from Online Chat.” He spent five years as a romance scammer posing as an American Army man with rippling biceps, short blond hair, and a military uniform. He now works as a consultant at a fraud busting group called, Social Catfish. He tells the whole shocking story about his exploits and adventures as a Nigerian romance scammer in South Africa.

This week, Patti and Vicki explore the latest Scam Statistics and explain why these alarming numbers indicate we are so much more likely to be scammed this year, especially on Social Media, than in anytime in previous history. Deputy District Attorney Vicki Jonson will tell us why scammers are so much more sophisticated now because of technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence. She will alert us as to why it is almost impossible to tell whether a person is a scammer or a family member, friend, or the person they claim to be. What are the chances you will be scammed this year? Is there anything you can do to protect yourself? Have police and law enforcement totally lost the War on Scams? Find out this week on Scam Squad’s Latest Scam Statistics episode.

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1 watching now Premiere in progress. Started 3 minutes ago Subscribe Today so you Don’t Miss any Important Warnings! With Doris Roof, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust. The IRS and California Franchise Tax Board extended the federal and state tax deadline to Oct. 16, 2023, for most California counties. Because of this, many people who are filing their taxes now are finding out that a scammer has already filed their taxes and taken their refund! In another scam, people are contacted by a con artist who is pretending to be from the IRS. These con artists generally contact people by phone or by mail. They use scare tactics and demand you contact them immediately, saying you owe them money. Don’t believe it! Never wire money to them or pay them with gift cards. If they ask you to do so, IT’S A SCAM! Remember, if you get one of these letters, don’t call the number that’s in the letter. And don’t trust that the phone call you’re receiving is really from the IRS. At the very least, they will want you to disclose information so that they can steal your identity! Go to the IRS official website and click on customer service for help. GOOD NEWS! At the end of the podcast, Vicki shares some good news! A woman in Washington State had been systematically stealing people’s identities and then making fake ids and opening bank accounts in her victim’s names. She stole over $472,000 from victims but FINALLY got caught and convicted. Please call SCAM SQUAD’S FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442 You can simply get information from Vicki, or share your story of being scammed (or nearly scammed) to help others.

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With Special Guest, Criminologist & Financial Exploitation Specialist, Judy Christman Yates, DPA RESOURCES What to Know about the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/what-know-about-us-census-bureaus-american-community-survey?utm_source=govdelivery, 3/7/2023. • Check to see if American Community Survey (ACS) is legitimate: California and five other states are covered by the Los Angeles Region Office of 1-800- 992-3530. • More about ACS and the 10 years census, go online to https://www.census.gov/ Medicare Fraud Prevention: What’s on your statement? https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/medicare-fraud-prevention-whats-your-statement?utm_source=govdelivery, 6/8/23. About AARP Fraud Watch Network, https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/, May 26, 2023: • Look up a scam in AARP’s Fraud Resource Center, • See or report scams in your area with our Scam-Tracking Map, • Get regular updates on the latest scams by signing up for biweekly Watchdog Alerts or text FWN to 50757 to receive text alerts, • Hear directly from fraud experts at one of our webinars, tele-town halls or live events in communities around the country, • Hear stories of real scams on our award-winning podcast, The Perfect Scam, Get social with the AARP Fraud Watch Network on Facebook and Twitter, where you’ll also have access to online events. You can also • connect with others on the Scams & Fraud channel in AARP’s online community, • Online resources to help protect veterans, service members and their families against scams at the and Looking for resources in Spanish? Go to www.aarp.org/fraude"

In this episode, Deputy District Attorney, Vicki Johnson, reviews the top text scams. Generally, text scams will offer you a reward/prize or pretend to notify you of a serious problem. Don't fall for them! Here are some of the most common text scams: 1. Fake Package Delivery Text Scams: The text will look like it's coming from UPS, Fed-X, USPS, or other delivery services. The texts says there has been a problem with your delivery. The text has a link to a website offering to re-delivery your package for a small fee. This is just a RUSE to get your information. 2. Phony Job Offer Text Scam: Often these are secret shopper jobs or 'car wrap' opportunities. The phony employer may send you a check which ends up being fake but before you figure that out, you're asked to pay them for job materials you'll need. Of course, when you fill out the job application, they'll acquire your personal information, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft. 3. Phony Security Alerts from a well-known company asking if you made a large purchase. If you get a text like this, don't respond to it or to the phone number in the text. Instead, call the company directly! Another Scam to Watch Out For: Americans are receiving mail which looks like it's from the IRS, saying you're owed a refund. People are asked to send photos of their Driver's license. Don't fall for this scam! Stay until the end of this episode so that you can hear Vicki's GOOD NEWS! To share your own story on Scam Squad or to receive help from Vicki, call the Scam Squad Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. Please subscribe today so you don't miss any important warnings!

Senior Fraud Specialist, Doris Roof, warns about Tax Refund Scams, which are one of the most costly scams--with 5.7 billion in losses. Fraudsters sometimes manage to steal their victim's refunds or they contact people with aggressive tax collection tactics--convincing people that they need to pay their taxes immediately. Here's How to Spot Tax Scams: - Fraudsters pretend to be IRS agents and contact victims via the phone, email, text, of postal mail. IIt's true that the IRS will contact people by mail but even if you receive something that looks like it's from the IRS, reach out to them directly to be sure it's a REAL notice, and not from a scammer. - Watch out for aggressive tax collection attempts demanding payment through pre-paid debit cards, wire transfers, or Bitcoin. - Beward of emails or texts asking you to verify your personal information. It may contain a link to a fraudulent form or website. It may say they need you to update your personal information such as your address, phone number, or social security number. Sometimes the correspondence contains a link and if you click on it, malicious malware can be installed on your computer. Vicki also warned listeners about professionals who snatch billfolds amd wallets from purses left in shopping carts. She also shared news that the FTC is suing Walmart for turning a blind eye to scammers, allowing payouts of suspicious transfers.

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BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO SCAM SQUAD TODAY SO YOU DON'T MISS A SINGLE WARNING! Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist from Monteciot Bank & Trust warns of four basic signs or a scam: 1. Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration, or Internal Revenue Service. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, or signatures. 2. Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may indicate the customer’s account number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information. 3. Scammers pressure the recipient to act immediately. They may even threaten arrest or legal action. 4. Scammers tell the customer to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire, or money transfer, or by mailing cash. Shawn also reviews the recurring Tech Support scam and peer to peer scams using Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp. She also explains the difference between scams and fraud. With scams, you were tricked, and a business or bank is unlikely to reimburse you because you authorized the transaction. (For example, sending a crypto payment to a scammer.) In contrast, with fraud, you are swindled, but it is not due to any action that you took. In this case, you are in a better position to be reimbursed by your bank or a business.

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A gentleman almost falls for a sophisticated Jury Duty Scam. Randy, a gentleman from Santa Maria, received a threatening call from authorities who told him that he had missed Federal Jury Duty. At the time, Randy was returning from a grocery shopping trip. The authorities told him that he had to immediately drive from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara to pay $4,500 and that if he didn't, they would ping his location, arrest him and put him in jail. Randy asked if he could stop by his home to put away his perishable groceries but the authorities told him that they would consider that fleeing and that he must drive straight to the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department! They instructed him to stay on the line with them while he made the hour long drive to Santa Barbara. He was told not to disconnect or mute the call for the entire drive. Randy made it to Santa Barbara, went to his bank, and was able to withdraw the $4,500 that they demanded--even though he told them that it would cause him great hardship. Randy was ready to take the money to the Santa Barbara Sherrif's Department but at that point the 'authorities' told him to take the money to a kiosk and to send the money that way, and then to take the receipt to the Sheriff's Station. Thankfully at that point, Randy realized that he was dealing with scammers. He took the money back to the bank and re-deposited it--and was kind enough to share his story to save others from falling for this scam.

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Today's Expert Guest - Dr. Judy Christman Yates, DPA, Criminologist & Financial Exploitation Specialist On past shows we have talked about Artificial Intelligence. Now there seems to be something new that has world attention called ChatGPT. But first, Judy explains what ChatBot is before explaining how ChatGPT works and what we can do with it. While ChatGPT can be an amazing tool, scammers also use it; and Judy tells us what to watch out for--and how it is being used with the Romance Scam. Finally, Judy reviews the Trade Commission's eight favorite lies used by scammers in Romance Scams. Remember, to always report if you think you are being scammed! ( FTC.gov, IC3.gov, FBI.gov) If you'd like to tell your story on Scam Squad to warn others, call Deputy District Attorney, Vick Johnson on the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442. References and Links from this show: OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT, https://openai.com/ What is DALL-E? How it works and how the system generates AI art, 11/3/22, https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/what-is-dall-e-how-it-works-and-how-the-system-generates-ai-art#, “It is changing the future of art. DALL-E, written as DALL·E on the company website, is a machine-learning model created by OpenAI to produce images from language descriptions. These text-to-image descriptions are known as prompts. The system could generate realistic images just from a description of the scene. DALL-E is a neural network algorithm that creates accurate pictures from short phrases provided by the user. It comprehends language through textual descriptions and from “learning” information provided in its datasets by users and developers.” ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about OpenAI's GPT-4 tool, https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/gpt-3/, 5/5/2023. How to tell GPT Scams Apart from the Real Thing, 3/17/23, https://www.howtogeek.com/879206/how-to-tell-chatgpt-scams-apart-from-the-real-thing/ What is a chatbot?, IBM https://www.ibm.com “A chatbot is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) to understand customer questions and automate …” How does ChatGPT differ from the human brain? https://gcn.com/emerging-tech/2023/02/how-does-chatgpt-differ-human-intelligence/383086/, 2/17/2023. “Humans and computer intelligence harbor many similarities in how they process information, researchers say, but machines still have limitations.” ChatGPT is a data privacy nightmare. If you’ve ever posted online, you ought to be concerned, https://gcn.com/data-analytics/2023/02/chatgpt-data-privacy-nightmare-if-youve-ever-posted-online-you-ought-be-concerned/382718/, 2/8/2023. ChatGPT: A Scammer’s Newest Tool, https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/chatgpt-a-scammers-newest-tool/, 1/25/2023. “ Voice deepfakes are calling – here’s what they are and how to avoid getting scammed, https://gcn.com/emerging-tech/2023/03/voice-deepfakes-are-calling-heres-what-they-are-and-how-avoid-getting-scammed/384188/, 3/20/2023. “The next time your mother calls [or your bank], you might want to decline. Experts warn scammers are using voice deepfakes of individuals' family and friends to steal money. . . . Thousands of people were scammed this way in 2022. . . . [it is] . . . increasingly possible to convincingly simulate a person’s voice. Even worse, chatbots like ChatGPT are starting to generate realistic scripts with adaptive real-time responses.” Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov) Help stop scammers by reporting suspicious profiles or messages to the dating app or social media platform. Then, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If someone is trying to extort you, report it to the FBI. Learn more at ftc.gov/romancescams."

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With Special Guest--Shawn Dyer, Montecito Bank & Trust Fraud Specialist Rental scams have been around for a long time. However, as college lets out for the summer, they are on the rise. Here's how the Scam Works: You see a great rental listing on Craigs List. The price is likely to be better than other similar properties. When you respond to the ad, the person who posted it tries to get you off the Craigslist platform as soon as possible to continue a conversation. They send you photos of the property, but will make up some reason why they can't show it to you in person. However, they promise they'll send you keys to the property after you fill out an application and give them a deposit--often by Zelle or Venmo. Now the scammer has your personal information and a deposit and/or first and last rental payments. DON'T BE FOOLED! It's likely that they sent you photos of a property that is for sale. (The scammer can easily find photos on Zillow or other real estate sites.) Remember, if a rental property sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Another old scam that's on the rise is wallet and billfold thefts, stolen from people who are out shopping. Rings from other cities sweep into town. One of the thieves distracts the shopper, while the other one quickly steals their billfold or wallet. Often, the thief is already using stolen credit cards before the victim even realizes they're gone. The thieves are hard to catch because they travel from city to city. In a similar scam, Vicki reports that thieves run up to a car as men get in them, saying they accidentally dropped their keys and that they fell underneath the person's car. Usually the gentleman will offer to help and as he crouches down to help find the missing keys, the crook will quickly take the wallet out of the victim's back pant's pocket. Lastly, Vicki shares some Good News. The Dept of Justice formed a task force to prosecute and sentence a Texas man for his role in romance scams using the images of two United Stated generals. If you'd like to talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or would like to tell your story on Scam Squad to warn others, call the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

Thanks for tuning into Scam Squad. If you'd like to support this channel and our effort to work together to stop scammers. please consider making a donation. Just click on the donate button on the banner--or click here. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2NUJKFFC4RPNY Scams you May Not Have Heard of: Ooops - Wrong Number Scam: You receive a text that was obviously sent to you by mistake. It sems to be urgent information (such as a doctor's appointment reminder or an investment opportunity), so you text or call the sender to let them know they sent the message to the wrong number. The scammer starts a friendly conversation in an attempt to befriend you. This is how they get you to trust them, and may be a lead up to a romance scam or an investment scam. If they send a link, don't click on it! It may contain malicious malware. Also, if you receive messages with an opportunity to text back STOP, don't do it! (This let's the scammer know that they reached a live person.) Instead, just delete the message and block the phone number. Crypto Refund Swindle: You may have lost money through a crypto swindle or investment. A company that refers to itslef as a Refund & Recovery Company from the US Department of State offers to get you your money back, for a fee. Don't fall for it! They will steal your identity and money and you' won't get your money back. Or, they'll falsely tell you they'll refund the money they charged but only if you make them a testimonial video saying how great their company is. Fake High School Sports Streaming Scam: Fake sites are sprouting up, promising that for a fee, you can watch a streaming video of their favorite high school team. They take your money but when it's time for the game, they don't deliver. And, they have your credit card information! It's advised that you check with the school itself to find out if it's a legitimate site before purchasing online streaming videos of sport's events. Out of Stock Scams.: Fake ads are placed on social media sites. They take your order but later you get an email that the item is out of stock. You never get a refund but now, they have your credit card information. Delivery Driver Cant Find your Home Scam: A delivery driver calls and says they have a package for you but that they can't find your address. If you say you didn't place an order, they'll tell you that it's a gift. In order to deliver the package, they'll con you out of your personal information. It's recommended that if you get a call like this from a delivery driver, you contact the seller directly to find out if it's a legitimate delivery. Good News! Many consumers have purchased what they thought was a free trial offer with a small delivery fee, but they ended up being charged hundreds of dollars for months. The FTC just returned 1.1 million dollars to consumers who fell for this scam. If you feel like you may have fallen for this scam and are eligable for a refund, go to the FTC website, and look for 'refunds to consumers.'

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With Special Guest, Santa Barbara DA's Victim Advocate, Dayton Aldrich. After a warning about spoofing, Dayton discusses Artificial Intelligence (AI) Voice Cloning, which scammers are using it to impersonate people. Scammers often obtain a sample of someone's voice from social media, videos or podcasts. AI can clone a voice with a recording of a dialogue that's only three seconds long. Scammers can then use AI voice cloning services to generate a synthetic version of a person's voice, simply typing what the cloned voice will say. These 'phony' recordings can be used by to swindle CEOs, executives, lawyers and every day people. Vicki told listeners that recently a mother was terrorized by a con artist who demanded a million dollar ransom--using the cloned voice of her daughter. The mother was convinced that it was her fifteen year old daughter's voice--because even the inflection and crying sounded like her. Tips to Avoice Voice AI Voice Cloning Scams: 1. Be very skeptical if someone calls and puts pressure on you--even if you think you recognize the voice. 2. Ask questions that only the person it sounds like you're speaking to, could answer. 3. Call back the person it sounds like you're speaking to--don't trust caller ID. Remember, the number may be spoofed. 4. Don't send money. Be very suspicious if you're asked to send gift cards or crypto. 5. Report this scam to law enforcement and warn your family and friends. If you'd like to talk with Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, or share your story on Scam Squad, Call the Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. 0 Comments

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Scam Squad Guest, Dr Judy Christman Yates, DPA, Criminologist discusses IRS scams to avoid and the FTC Top Scams of 2022 1. Top Scams of 2022, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/02/top- scams-2022?utm_source=govdelivery, 2/23/2023 by Federal Trade Commission, Andrew Rayo, Consumer Education Specialist. “The latest FTC data book says people reported losing $8.8 billion to scams. • Investment scams were huge, with reported losses of $3.8 billion. That’s more than people lost to any other scam, and more than double the loss reported in 2021. • Impersonator scams were still the most-reported scam, with reported losses of $2.6 billion. The difference this year? Higher losses to business imposters: 2022 losses were $660 million, compared to $453 million in 2021. • If people paid a scammer, the biggest reported losses were through bank transfers ($1.5 billion reported lost to scams) and cryptocurrency ($1.4 billion reported lost). • Younger adults (ages 20-29) reported losing money more often than older adults (ages 70-79). But when older adults did lose money, they lost more than anyone else.” 2 IRS [Internal Revenue Service] scams to avoid this year, https:// www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/privacy-security/avoid-tax-scams/, 2/15/2023, Capital One. Scam Squad Guest, Dr Judy Christman Yates, DPA, Criminologist discusses IRS scams to avoid and the FTC Top Scams of 2022 1. Top Scams of 2022, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/02/top- scams-2022?utm_source=govdelivery, 2/23/2023 by Federal Trade Commission, Andrew Rayo, Consumer Education Specialist. “The latest FTC data book says people reported losing $8.8 billion to scams. • Investment scams were huge, with reported losses of $3.8 billion. That’s more than people lost to any other scam, and more than double the loss reported in 2021. • Impersonator scams were still the most-reported scam, with reported losses of $2.6 billion. The difference this year? Higher losses to business imposters: 2022 losses were $660 million, compared to $453 million in 2021. • If people paid a scammer, the biggest reported losses were through bank transfers ($1.5 billion reported lost to scams) and cryptocurrency ($1.4 billion reported lost). • Younger adults (ages 20-29) reported losing money more often than older adults (ages 70-79). But when older adults did lose money, they lost more than anyone else.” 2 IRS [Internal Revenue Service] scams to avoid this year, https:// www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/privacy-security/avoid-tax-scams/, 2/15/2023, Capital One. “According to the IRS, it doesn’t “initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Here are some common scams to watch out for, according to the IRS: IRS impersonation scams • Email phishing: Known as phishing, scammers may ask for personal or financial information from a taxpayer through unsolicited emails. • IRS scam calls: phishing—scammer makes a call & impersonates IRS. • IRS text messages: Another form of phishing is smishing. A taxpayer may receive a text message from a fraudulent number claiming to be the IRS. Other Tax-related scams • identity theft: uses a taxpayer’s Social Security number (SSN), to file a tax return in a taxpayer’s name. • Abusive arrangements: Scammers may reach out and tell filers they can earn tax savings if they take part in a complex scheme or arrangement. • Tax debt settlement companies: Dishonest tax companies might target individuals having trouble paying their taxes. • Ghost tax preparers: Sometimes scammers pose as tax preparers and offer to help with tax returns. But they won’t sign the return or include a preparer tax identification number (PTIN), which are both required by law. • Spear phishing: This type of attack is when scammers send an email trying to steal information—like software preparation credentials—from tax professionals.

Shawn Dyer, Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust, sounds the alarm about check fraud, which is on the rise. She urges people to utilize online banking so they can check the activity of their bank accounts frequently and pull up check images that may have been altered. She also talks about the Tech Scam, which is still rampant. The scammer pretends to work for a tech company. They tell the victim that they are owed a refund and then accidentally overpay them . In reality, after gaining access to a person's login information, the scammer transfers money from their savings account to their checking account online. When the victim sees the balance, they believe the scammer really did pay them too much. Of course the scammer claims that if the money is not returned, they'll lose their job. The victim is sympathetic and wants to help out. They are instructed to make a cash withdrawal from their bank and deposit it through a bitcoin machine. Don't fall for this scam; your money will be gone forever! Lastly, Vicki shares some Good News. A Russian Malware Developer who extorted a small fortune from US citizens was extradited to the US where he was convicted and sent to federal prison. To talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam or to tell your story on Scam Squad to warn others, call the Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

In this episode, a woman is almost taken in by the Jury Duty Scam. It's easy to see why. She received a call and the caller ID was spoofed to say it was the Sheriff's Department. The scammers identified themselves by using names of real sheriffs and judges. Plus, the victim occasionally received subpoenas to testify, because she was a medical expert--making it even more believable. They told her that someone had signed for the subpoena and gave her the date and time that it happened. They threatened that if she didn't pay a $10,000 fine immediately, she would go to jail. Initially, the scare tactics worked. She followed their instructions and went to stores to purchase money packs to give them. The first store limited the number of money packs that she could buy so she went to a second store. Here, the Vons employee told her she was being scammed. Then the woman did something very right. She told the scammer that she was driving to the sheriff's department and she did just that. When she arrived, the Sheriffs confirmed that it was a familiar scam. Scammers use fear tactics to scare their victims. Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson says that police officers and sherriffs will never call and threaten to arrest you if you miss jury duty. If you get a call like this, don't trust the caller ID. Tell the scammer you'll call them back and then look up the number yourself. Good News! A group of people who were stealing mail were recently arrested. They were soliciting crooks to help them through social media! Vicki reminds listeners to avoid using mailboxes to mail out their bills. Get a locked mailbox on your own property. Don't use the blue bins. Instead, walk your mail into the post office and set it on the counter.

It can be very difficult to convince someone that they're involved in a Romance Scam. Here are tips on how to help a friend recogize that the person they think they love is nothing but a scammer.

Doris Roof, Montecito Bank & Trust Fraud Manager, and Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, give advice on how to use Zelle safely. Roof reeals that Zelle guidelies are set up by Early Warning Systems. To help prevent fraud, Early Warning Systems is adding more prompts, asking questions such as, "Did you initiate this transaction or did someone else ask you to initiate the transaction?" Other Zelle Tips include the following: - Dont send money to people you don't know. - Confirm the email and/or mobile number when receiving requests or sending money, looking for slight changes, such as an l replaced with an i. - Look at the entire header and be sure it doesn't originate from overseas. - If you get a text or email warning saying your account has been hacked, don't reply directly. Instead contact your bank from the number on the back of your bank card. - Legitimate companies are unlikely to send invoices through Zelle. If you receive a payment request through Zelle, don't trust it. - Don't reveal anything in response to an unknown text or email. Call yourself to verify its legitimacy. - Be careful not to reveal two factor verification codes. Pay Pal Warning! In Maine, 30,000 Pay Pal coounts were hacked. They are advising people to ignore unexpected messages and to reach out directly to Pay Pal to report them. Lastly, they're advising customers to change their password, using 12 + characters and choosing multi-factor authorization. Good News! Five defendants were sent to federal prison for receiving, transporting and laundering money with the Grandparent scam. Victims were directed to send money to unoccupied homes across the country and scammers would collect the package, take their share, before sending it off to other scammers overseas.

With Special Guest, Dayton Aldrich, Victim Restitution Specialist To tell your Story on Scam Squad, contact Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson at 805-568-2442 Recently in Santa Barbara, a couple's Ring Security Camera, which was linked to their phones, let them know that someone was at their door, claiming to be from Door Dash. They were both at work and told the phony Door Dash person that there had been a mistake and that they had not placed an order. This signaled the person that the no one was home and he and his accomplice let themselves in the back door and ramsacked the home. These types of home invasions are happening across the country with crooks claiming to be from Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats and other delivery companies. This is a new take on an old scam. In addition to food delivery companies, any type of service company who claims they are at your house to work on something you didn't order should arouse your suspicion. Dayton recommends you give one stern warning and then tell them you're calling the police. Dayton describes simple, Do it Yourself, affordable security items that can help to keep you safe at home. These include home security systems, security cameras, motion detector lights, panic buttons, mail box sensors, and more. Dayton and Vicki also give warnings about revealing information on social media which can signal criminals that your are out of town so they can rob you -- or give them enough information to steal your identity. They also recommend that everyone consider getting a password manager to create and store unique passwords for each of your accounts.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 02 - 25 - Pig Butchering by Hub for Podcasting

Information from WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE SCAMMED, https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed What should you do if… You Paid a Scammer by credit/debit card or there was an unauthorized transfer from your bank account: • Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card, debit card or wire transfer from your bank account • Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. • Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back. What if you Paid by gift card? • Contact the issuing company the gift card. Ask them to refund your money. Keep the gift card and the gift card receipt. What if you Sent a Wire Transfer to the scammer? • Contact the wire transfer company such as MoneyGram or Western Union • Tell them it was a fraudulent transfer. • Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back MoneyGram: 1-800-926-94 Western Union: 1-800-448-1492 1 Ria (non-Walmart transfers): 1-877-443-1399 Ria (Walmart2Walmart and Walmart2World transfers): 1-855-355-2144 What if you Sent a Wire Transfer from your Bank? • Contact your bank and report the fraudulent transfer. • Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back. What if you Sent Money through Money Transfer App such as Zelle, PayPal, CashApp or Venmo) • Report the fraudulent transaction to company behind the money transfer app • Ask them to reverse the payment. • If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. • Ask them to reverse the charge. What if you Paid the scammer with Cryptocurrency? • ASK person you paid to send it back. • Contact the company you used to send the money and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask them to reverse the transaction. What if you Sent Cash? • If you sent cash by U.S. mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (877-876-2455) or other shipping company, ask them to intercept the package as soon as possible. WHAT If You Gave Scammer your Social Security Number? • Go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps to take, including how to monitor your credit. IdentityTheft.gov can help. What if you gave the scammer your User Name or Password? • Create a new, strong password. Make sure your password is long and strong. • Don’t reuse passwords you’ve from other accounts. • Consider a password manager. • Add multi-factor authentication [2nd verification] when it’s an option. • Pick security questions only you know the answer to. What If Scammer Has Remote Access to Your Computer or Phone? • Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem. • Turn off your computer and physically take it into a local reputable computer store. Run scans on your computer to see what actions were taken once they accessed your computer, like downloading your files and/or adding viruses and other malicious code onto your computer so they can continue to get access. What if the scammer gets Control of your cell phone number and account? • Contact your service provider to take back control of your phone number. Change your account password. • Check your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes. If you see any, report them to the company or institution. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps you should take. Where should a victim report scams? If you experienced a scam — or even spotted one, ALWAYS report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.[and to IC3.gov if the scam happened online.] and to local law enforcement. For more in-depth information on what we reviewed today go to ftc.gov and search for WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE SCAMMED, https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/wha... . You can also report scams on BBB's Scam Tracker. If you would like to speak to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam, or would like to share your story on Scam Squad, call the Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 02 - 11 - Latest Scams by Hub for Podcasting

Today's show features advice from Criminologist, Dr. Judy Christman Yates. First, Dr. Yates gives advice on Spotting Phony Websites and reviews six ways to tell if a website is credible. This information is drawn from an article by the University of Wisconsin. https://uknowit.uwgb.edu/page.php?id=... Tip: Go to your web browser and type in the name of a person, business, or organization followed by the word 'scam' or 'complaint', and see what comes up. Next, Dr. Yates reviews what to do when a stranger unexpectedly sends you money on Cash Apps such as Venmo, Zelle, or Pay Pal. https://lifehacker.com/don-t-return-t... , 12/9/22 The last topic covered by Yates is a vile crime aptly coined, 'Sextortion.' Today, predators use phones to stalk and blackmail teens on social media and dating apps. Sextortion — the act of threatening to share nude or explicit images — is more common than you may think, and cases affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years. In fact, Homeland Security Investigations received over 3,000 sextortion tips in fiscal year 2022. If you or a family member has been a victim of sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI also has staff dedicated to assisting victims of crime. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-y... Remember, all ages can be taken in by scams. Here are some tips for Talking to Your Kids and Grandkids about Fraud: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-frau... , CHRIS GASH, By Sari Harrar, AARP, December 02, 2022 If you have been a victim, report crimes to: Local law enforcement IC3.gov (FBI Internet Computer Complaint Center) ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission); FTC is excellent resource of information Better Business Bureau and AARP also have excellent information about fraud. If you'd like advice from Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, or if you'd like to tell your story on Scam Squad, call the Santa Barbara County Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 01 - 28 - Vicky Social Media by Hub for Podcasting

Scam Squad: With Special Guest, Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust Shawn Dyer reports about a rise in the Pay Pal Imposter Scam, and reminds us that it can also occur on other platforms such as Amazon or E-Bay. Here's how it works: You are contacted by an email or a text message telling you that you have had a large dollar amount charged on your account. You are asked to immediately call a number provided in the message to review it. When you call the number and tell them that you didn't make the charge, they offer to credit back your account. However, they 'accidentally' pay you too much and ask you to correct the over payment by getting Gift Cards and calling them back with the numbers on the card. Of course, this is just a ploy that the scammer uses to get you to send them money that you likely WON''T be able to get back. How to Avoid this Scam: If you get this type of email or text message, DON'T REPLY. Go directly into your Pay Pal accout and your bank account (or call them directly), to double check that you don't have any unauthorized charges. Next, Shawn warns us about the Online Loan Scam. Usually, this happens when someone searches online for Fast Cash and applies for a loan. In order to deposit money into your account, you will be asked for your online banking credentials and account number. The fraudsters also say that in order for them to ensure that you are trustworthy, you need to send them a gift card and call them with the numbers on the back of the card. They make a fraudulent deposit in your checking account with a counterfeit check. In a few days the check is returned by your bank and the victim is out money from the gift cards, and any return item fees which may have been spent before the victim realizes that the loan was a scam. To add insult to injury, the scam victim will need to close their checking account and change their online banking credentials so that they don't become a victim of identity theft. This scam is particularly abhorrent because it targets people who are already struggling financially. Lastly, the newest scam that Shawn reports on has to do with the CA Middle Class Tax Refund Debit Card. The card is being sent to Californians, loaded with a specific amount of money. The card comes from the State of CA, and is legitimate. However, scammers are calling, pretending to be from Medicare, asking for people to validate the numbers on the card. Of course, this is an attempt to steal the funds on the card. GOOD NEWS! Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson reports that an Interpol Rapid Response team was deployed against the Black Axe Gang, who are responsible for massive cyber-enabled financial scams and have their base of operations in South Africa. The task force specifically targeted the money mules who are the blood supply for these vicious scam artists. It was a great succhess; they recovered a large amount of money and there were a numerous arrests. Lastly, Vicki reminds us that price gouging is illegal after a State of Emergency has been declared--such as the recent floods in California. If you would like to talk to Deputy District Attorney, or tell your story on Scam Squad, call the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 01 - 14 - Identity Fraud by Hub for Podcasting

We appreciate it when fraud and scam victims are brave enough to share their stories in order to warn others. In this episode, Doris (our victim), received a phone call from a woman who identified herself as Holly, a Cox Cable technician. She knew that Doris had been having conectivity problems and asked Doris if it was any better. (There had been repair trucks on Doris' street, which probably tipped off the scammers.) Holly offered to check Doris' computer and showed her a series of graphs and diagrams which confirmed a weak signal. She told Doris that she was due a refund and transferred the call to a man who told Doris she was due $500. He pulled up a form on Doris’ computer and had her type in the amount. Doris is sure she typed in $500 but it appeared as $5,000. The man told Doris she’d have to send back $4,500 immediately! Then, in an alarming move, the man showed her that he had accessed her bank account and threatened to wipe it out if she didn’t immediately buy $4,500 in gift cards from Target and relay the gift card numbers to him. Doris realized that she was being scammed but was frightened that the con artist would wipe out her account if she didn’t follow his directions to the letter. She bought the gift cards, took pictures of them with the receipts and sent them to the crook. “Now we’ll give you your money back but it will take an hour or so,” he told her. Doris immediately drove to her bank. At first they told her that $1,500 had already been cashed but later, Target told her they would pay her back the entire $4,500. While the story has a good ending because Doris didn’t lose her money, it can’t be underestimated how traumatized Doris was by the experience. Plus, she said she had to change her bank account, passwords, and have her computer checked out by an expert. Deputy District Attorney, Vicki Johnson, revealed the results of a study that highlights the emotional and physical problems toll that victims experience in the aftermath of being scammed. They often blame themselves, feel ashamed and suffer from physical problems. Vicki reminded Doris and our listeners that victims are not to blame…it’s the fault of the perpetrator. At the end of the episode, Vicki shares some Good News. Believe it or not, a brazen crooked business called “I Spoof” was offering spoofing services to cyber criminals and advertising their services online! (As a reminder, spoofing is when you get a phone call and the caller ID is spoofed. For example, caller ID may say it’s your bank when it’s really a scammer.) As the result of a coordinated international law enforcement effort, the site was shut down and the site’s owner was arrested. If you’d like to get advice from Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson, or share your story to warn others, call the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Rick Copelan President of BBB of the Tri-Counties Talks with Deputy District Attorney, Vicki Johnson by Hub for Podcasting

Scmsqd - 2022 - 12 - 31 - Dayton by Hub for Podcasting

With Special Guest, Criminologist, Dr. Judy Christman Yates In this episode, Dr Christman Yates points out dark patterns in advertisements that are psychologically deceptive, specifically designed to induce false beliefs. They often get us us to purchase more than we want or misunderstand what we're getting. Here are common tricks that are used: 1. We're told that the product or service is only availble for a limited period of time. 2. The ads look like editorials, giving them unwarranted credibility. (Watch for buzz words such as News, Educational, Journal, etc. 3. The ads use logos from reputable organizations such as the Food & Drug Administration. (If you look closely, you may see a disclaimer in miniscule letters saying that they are not a part of the organization depicted in the logo.) 4. Additional fees and charges are often added very late in the buying process. They may add on high shipping fees, and/or 'convenience fees.' TIPS: - If you're offered a free trial and are then required to provide a credit or debit card, don't trust it! - Use trusted websites. Look closely at the site's url. - Avoid clicking on pop ups. - Don't believe pop ups, texts or emails that tell you that you've won something. It's likely a scam to get your personal information. - Read the fine print when considering a purchase. - Pay with a credit card. (You'll be more likely to recover the money if it's a scam.) - Be sure to review your credit card statements every month for unauthorized charges! (If too much time has passed, it's unlikely your bank will refund the charges.) - Report suspicious websites and online companies to ic3.gov At the end of this podcast, Vicki shares some good news! Here's a teaser. Have you noticed that you aren't getting the dreaded phone calls about renewing your extended auto warranty? Find out why! If you'd like to speak to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson to report a scam or tell your story on SCAM SQUAD, call the Santa Barbara District Attorney's FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442. 0 Comments

Montecito Bank & Trust Senior Fraud Specialist, Doris Roof, reports on a recent scam. Here's what happened. A woman attempted to Venmo money to her son, but the transaction was declined. She looks up Venmo's number online and inadvertantly contacts the scammers who have a phony site that looks like the legitimate Venmo website. The scammers talk her into giving them remote access to her computer and keep her on the line for over TWO HOURS! While she thinks they're trying to help her, in reality they are mining her computer for information and manage to transfer $2,000 our of her account. Here are the takeaways: - Watch out for fraudulent accounts which may come up first on Google. (They may look very much like the real company site so be very careful!) Legitimate sites start with https. - If you're asked to call any number that doesn't start with 800 or 877, be VERY cautious! - Don't give remote access to your computer!!! Vicki reminds listeners that during the holiday season, there are a lot of wallet/purse thefts. Often, thieves work in pairs. Someone may ask for help to get something off of a shelf while their partner in crime reaches into your purse to complete the theft. Remember, scammers are very opportunistic! With the recent FTX Crypto Currency collapse, scammers are coming out of the woodwork, offering phony crypto recovery services. Don't be fooled! Lastly, Vicki shares some GOOD NEWS! Two California men who were carrying out money laundering for Nigerian scammers were apprehended and convicted. Vicki welcomes you to call her FRAUD HOTLINE to get her advice, or to share your story on Scam Squad! The FRAUD HOTLINE number is 805-568-2442.

Medicare is a federal government health insurance program in the United States. Of course, it doesn’t cover everything. Most people buy additional insurance to bridge the gaps. The two main types of coverage that you can buy to help with this are Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) or a Medicare Supplement which is also referred to as Medigap. If you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, you've basically left the govt funded program to go with a private insurance company. This works well for some people and for others it does not, depending on your circumstances. It's important to get balanced, unbiased information so you can make an informed choice. In CA, the HICAP program can help you sort through various plans to help you make the choice that's best for you. If you live in another state, you can call the Area Agency on Aging for a referral to their Medicare Counseling Program.

Victims of tech support scam often give their computer access to scammers who claim they are trying to help them.

It's sometimes easy for us to think that we would never fall for a scam. But in today's episode, a woman who has worked in the IT departments of many large companies ALMOST gets taken in by a complicated scam. Hear her story on this week's Scam Squad episode. And be sure to subscribe to Scam Squad today so you don't miss any important warnings!

Scmsqd - 2022 - 11 - 05 - Crimnologist Judy by Hub for Podcasting

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust Gives the Latest Warnings: : 41 When you receive a text from what you think is your bank--telling you that there has been fraudulent activity on your account, DO NOT call the number back from the text, DO NOT click on a link in the text and DO NOT give personal information verbally to someone who called you. ALWAYS confirm that it's not a scam by calling the number on the back of your bank card or statement. The scammer is most likely trying to get personal information such as your social security number, your full card number and/or your bank account and routing number so that they can steal your identity. 4:40: There are more and more scams involving Zelle. Remember, a legitimate business will NOT ask you to pay them through Zelle. In many cases, Zelle Scams are replacing gift card scams. It's quicker, and potential victims can send money with a single tap--rather than going out to stores to buy gift cards, which gives them time to realize they're being taken in by a scammmer. 5:18: Shawn explains the difference between authorized transactions (which may be scams) and fraud. Fraud is when through no action on the victim's part, funds are stolen. This could be through wire fraud, phony checks, etc. She explains that, unfortunately, banks cannot usually reimburse people for scams if they gave the scammer some sort of authorization to make a transaction. 12:17: Scammers and Fraudsters are coaching their victims so that they'll have a believable story if bankers try to question customers to determine if they're being scammed. 18:11 Good News! The US Department of Justice has expanded its trans-national elder task force! There is a National Fraud Hotline (staffed by live experts) that is open seven days a week! Their number is 833-372-8311. Also, you can speak to Deputy District Attorney, Vicki Johnson, by calling the Santa Barbara DA's Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442. If you'd like to share your story on Scam Squad to warn others, let Vicki know!

Scmsqd - 2022 - 10 - 22 - Disaster Relief by Hub for Podcasting

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment from now until December 7! In this episode, HICAP (Health Insurance and Advocacy Program) manager, Julie Posada, guides listeners through the maze of choosing the best Medicare program for your individual needs. HICAP is run through the California Department on Aging, which also manages their 1-800-434-0222 hotline. HICAP counselors will meet with you remotely or in person—providing you with the pieces of the puzzle so that you can make a good decision. This is a free service! HICAP has recently partnered with SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol), which helps prevent Medicare fraud. If you live outside of CA, you can contact SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), instead of HICAP. SHIP establishes community-based networks of counselors who also provide assistance in-person and by phone, make group presentations, and use a variety of media sources to educate people about Medicare. If you live in the Santa Barbara area, you can call today’s guest, Julie Posada at 805-928-5663 or email julie.posada@centralcoastseniors.org

Scmsqd - 2022 - 10 - 08 - Caretaker by Hub for Podcasting

Doris Roof, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust shares cyber -crime stats from a USA Today article. Here are some of the findings: - 84% of Americans have been scammed through social engineering - Scam victims pay out more money to scams as they get older. Victims younger than 50, on average were scammed out of $324.00 Victims in their 60's, on average, were scammed out of $426.00 Victims in their 70's were scammed out of $635.00 Victims in their 70's were scammed out of $1,300.00 Doris reviewed the following tips to avoid being scammed: - Don't click on links. - Have a 'text check' with your friends. - Set your social media accounts to 'private' - Beware that emergencies may be a ploy that scammers use. - Lock devices and set up passwords and/or use your fingerprints to unlock your devices. - Only visit secure sites that start with https. - Don't use shared wi-fi at airports or coffee shops. Vicki warned about groups who are luring people over to their cars and then stealing their jewelry. At the end of the episode she shares some Good News. A man who stole $1.6 million in unemployment benefits in several states was convicted of wire fraud and identity theft. He has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,611,000. If you'd like to talk to Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson about a scam or would like to share your story on Scam Squad, call the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Fraud Hotline at 805-568-2442.

Today's special guest is Dayton Aldrich, a colleague of Vicki's and the Restitution Specialist for the District Attorney's Office in Santa Barbara. He shows real-life footage of a woman having second thoughts about stealing from a carport. When she notices that she's being filmed on a security camera, she quickly puts her loot back. The topic then turns to mail fraud. Dayton recommends that unless your mailbox is locked or behind a gate, you should get a PO Box. Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson and Dayton remind us that much of our information is already available on the dark web and that often the fraudster only needs one more piece of information to steal your identity. Don't let them get it from your mailbox! Once again, they urge us not to put outgoing checks in your own mailbox with the flag up as this is a signal to the crook to come and get it! Other mail recommendations include: - Picking up your mail promptly. - If you are depositig mail in your own mailbox for pick-up, do it close to the time your mailperson comes. - Limit the amount of mail you receive. Contact banks and credit card companies and ask them to stop sending pre-approved offers, which crooks love to get their hands on! - If you expected mail and didn't receive it, inquire about it. (It may have been stolen.) - Make arrangements for your mail to be picked up when you're out of town. - And of course, never send cash in the mail.

Scmsqd - 2022 - 09 - 17 - Identity Theft by Hub for Podcasting

Scmsqd - 2022 - 09 - 10 - Kidnapping Scam by Hub for Podcasting

Senior Fraud Specialist Shawn Dyer, from Montecito Bank & Trust, reports that several scams are still rampant. 1. Most recenty, people are getting emails from a scammer pretending to be from Norton Lifelock, telling you that your account has been compromised. Of course, when you email them back, or call the number in the email, they'll try to get the banking information they need to hack into your accounts. While most recently the scammers are saying they're from Norton, they could say they're from any company. Don't fall for it! 2. Business Email Compromise: A scammer pretends to be a business that is expecting a payment from a vendor. They contact the vendor and tell them that the payment method or bank account information has changed. (The scammer often contacts the vendor through an email thread making the scam less likely to be detected.) The vendor sends the money directly to the new account the scammer gave them and large sums of money are lost. Unfortunately, this scam is often discovered weeks later when the business asks the vendor why their payment hasnt' been received. 3. People are still having their mail stolen and checks are washed and made out to someone else. Don't use your own mailbox or blue bins to mail checks. Take them into the post office instead! At the end of the episode, Vicki shares some good news! A money mule was convicted of taking advantage of seniors with the computer tech scam.

Scam Squad Special Guest--Dr Judy Christman Yates, (Criminologist and Financial Exploitation Specialist) SMISHING 1:15 Dr. Judy Christman Yates explains Smishing & Gives Tips to Avoid it. Here’s an example of smishing. You receive a text message. It may claim to be from a company, such as Amazon, saying that there’s a problem with your account. However, when you open the text and click on the link, a virus or malware is installed on your device. Or the text instructs you to call them (for some made-up reason) and when you do, the scammer tricks you into giving them enough personal information to steal your identity or hack into your accounts. Tips to Avoid Being Smished: - Don’t click on links! - Don’t call the phone number from texts you receive. (Even if you call and hang up before speaking, you’ll be added to an active ‘suckers’ list.) Instead, look up the businesses’ phone number from your own account statement. - Be careful when you click a link that takes you to a business or if you google a business online. Instead of being taken to the legitimate businesses site, you may be on a look-alike site, set up by the scammer. - To report scams, dial 7726 or go to reportfraud.ftc.gov 9:22 TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS WHEN SELLING ONLINE There are Four Main Scams: 1. Fake payments: Just as it sounds, a seller may try to pass off a phony cashier’s check. 2. Bogus Refund Request: The buyer overpays you for an item and then asks for a check or cash to make-up for the overpayment. Unfortunately, the check that the buyer paid with is not good and adding insult to injury, the seller also gives the buyer a refund for their so-called overpayment. 4. Fake Verification Codes. Scammers work in pairs to intercept legitimate verification codes. Here’s a previous episode describing this scam. https://youtu.be/zqHi_e6n-tY 12:55 THE FCC IS FINALY CRACKING DOWN ON AUTO WARRANTY ROBO CALLS. SIMPLE T.I.P. TO DETERMINE IF YOU’RE BEING SCAMMED. T is for Threat (Many scams involve a threat which the scammer says he’ll help you solve.) I is for Immediacy; the scammer will also make it sound urgent and that you have to do something quickly. P for Payment: Someway, somehow, the scammer will try to get you to pay them.

Chief Deputy Clerk in Santa Barbara County, Melinda Greene, works to protect seniors with capacity issues. If an older adult comes into the Hall of Records with someone who takes over the conversation in order to obtain a marriage license or a real estate record, the staff at the Hall of Records are on high alert and are unlikely to process the request. Instead, they are likely to contact Adult Protective Services, the District Attorney, or even the FBI. Recently, fraudsters in various cities have been taking advantage of elderly adults by requesting a memorandum or exclusive right to sell agreement. Here's how the scam works. Elderly homeowners who are financially distressed are offered around $1,000 . In exchange, they sign an agreement to use the specific real estate listing agent for a period of 40 years! If they try to cancel the agreement they have to pay back thousands of dollars. As if that isn't bad enough, the agreement can also be viewed as a lien on their property. Melinda also described a recent case under investigation; a caregiver transfered $100,000 from her client's account into an LLC under the client's name. In other words, the caregiver who was taking care of 'Jane Doe' set up an LLC called 'Jane Doe LLC.' But the elderly client was not a member of the LLC. In a frightening turn of events rhe elderly client's recent death has been ruled a homicide and the caregiver is under investigation. With crimes against vulnerable seniors on the rise, we are very glad that people like Melinda Greene are doing their very best to protect them.

Scmsqd - 2022 - 08 - 13 - Summer Scams by Hub for Podcasting

Special Guest, Doris Roof, (Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust), says that email compromise scams are on the riise, especiallly for businesses. Here's how it works. A business receives an email from a vendor, asking them to change the routing number and account number on their ACH deposits. If the person who receives the request believes it and makes the change, (without double checking that the request is legitimate), they may be tricked into making a deposit directly into the scammers account! Another scam that's on the rise is the Tech Support Scam. Here's how it works: The scammer manages to cause your computer to start flashing a warning on your screen, urging you to contact them immediately because your computer has been installed with malware. Don't believe it! The scammer is trying to get you to call or let them take control of your computer. Then in addition to stealing your information, they'll charge you to 'supposedly' fix your computer. If this happens to you, immediaatelly turn off and UNPLUG yor computer.

GRANDPARENTS SCAM by Hub for Podcasting

Special guest, criminologist Dr Judy Christman Yates, gives advice on the legitimate way to find out if you have unclaimed money just waiting for you! But don't be fooled! Scammers are contacting people, telling them that they are a claimant in a class action lawsuit that was settled for $4,800,000. To get your share, you need to send $30 - $50 to a processing center within five days. While this is a scam, many people are legitimately owed money. To find out if that includes you, go to https://www.usa.gov/unclaimed-money Dr Yates says that unclaimed money could be owed to you from many sources, including: bank accounts, the contents of safetly deposit boxes, stocks, mutual funds, uncashed checks or money orders, certificates of deposit, insurance policies that have matured or terminated, mineral rights, royalty payments, unclaimed property, escrow accounts and utility accounts. Dr Yates also reviews the most common scams and shares advice on how we can protect ourselves. She invites you to send her an email at yatesjc805@gmail.com if you'd like to subscribe to her financial exploitation newsletter. To report a cam or share your story on Scam Squad, contact Deputy District Attorney Vicki Johnson on her FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

It's difficult for some people to understand how anyone falls for a Romance Scam. In this episode, Vicki explains how it happens and gives a real life example. An older woman named Sue lost her husband of 40 years and began reminiscing about him--posting old vaction pictures and beautiful memories on Facebook. A scammer, pretending to be a widower too, send an encouraging note, telling her to stay strong and that while the pain never goes away, life gets better. Eventually, he won her over and they chatted several times a day. He told her that he was a hard-working widower from Eastern Europe, who was saving money to come to the US. By this time, she trusted him and sent him money when he asked. In a recent article, Psychology Today wrote an article on the psychology of Romance Scams. They reported that people who fall for them are not gullible, stupid people with no critical thinking skills. They point out that when people are being romanced, emotions trigger dopamine and oxytocin. They truly feel like they're in love! If you have a friend who is being taken in by the Romance Scam, show empathy and be patient. Point out discrepencies in what the romance scammer is saying. If you yourself are worried that someone is trying to draw you in with the Romance Scam, educate yourself about these types of scams. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and get their input. If you'd like to report a scam or share your story on Scam Squad, call the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

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.