Scam Squad

Charity Scams have been around for quite a while. Unfortunately, because of the heartbreaking situation in Ukraine, many scam artists are trying to take advantage of the situation by pretending to be legitimate charities when they're not. Beware of charities that use copy-cat names that are similar to a well-known charity. Don't click on unknown links or give out your personal information. If a ch...

In this episode an older man is targeted by a young woman from the Philippines who claimed to be a victim of health issues and a devastating typhoon. Rather than being a young woman who was having a string of bad luck, this was a scammer who came up with one sad story after another, convincing the big-hearted gentleman to send money. Remember, NEVER send money to someone you have not met in person...

Doris Roof, Senior Fraud Specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, warns listeners to only use Zelle to pay people you know! Scammers are pretending to be from companies who are requesting payments through Zelle. Don't fall for it! A legitimate company will not request a payment through Zelle. The scammers are talking people into letting them access their computers remotely, pretending that they wan...

NEW AMAZON SCAM by Hub for Podcasting

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there has been an 80% increase in 'Romance Scams' in the last year. In one common scenario, scammers target lonely widows. (This typically takes place on social media sites such as Facebook or Instagram.) Often, the scammers say they have also been heartbroken by the loss of a spouse and send a warm and empathetic message. Gradually, the scammer wins the...

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud specialist from Montecito Bank & Trust, warns listeners about QR Scams. They have received a warning from the FBI about cyber criminals who tamper with QR codes which redirect victims to malicious sites. When scanning QR codes, be sure they have not been tampered with, (such as having a sticker placed over them), and that the URL address you are taken to is legitimate. Als...

Investment Scams take people in most often followed by romance scams. Oftentimes, scammers are able to trick their victims by using information found on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. While it's often assumed that seniors are scammed most often, people between the ages of 18 and 39 are twice as likey to report losing money to scammers. The phony kiidnapping scam, (where a scamm...

Sometimes you may end up on a scammer's list no matter how careful you are. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk: 1. Don't fill out consumer/marketing surveys. 2. Don't fill out surveys attached to warranty registration cards. 3. Don't fill out sweepstakes forms. 4. Exercise 'opt out' rights whenever you have the chance. 5. When giving money to a charity, enclose a note in...

DANGERS OF INSTANT MONEY TRANSFERS by Hub for Podcasting

In this special interview with Deputy District Attorney Casey Nelson, you'll learn how the Santa Barbara District Attorney's office worked together with the Santa Barbara Police Department in an intensive investigation that lasted for more than two years, leading to the apprehension of crooks who made off with BILLIONS in California unemployment benefits. Learn how the crooks breached a property m...

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

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS by Hub for Podcasting

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

Shawn Dyer, Senior Fraud Specialist at Montecito Bank & Trust shares the following warnings: 1. Don't unsubscribe to an unwanted email by clicking on a link you receive in an email or text. It can be another way for scammers to install malware on your computer. Instead, go to the company's legitimate website and safely unsubscribe. 2. If you are a business owner, or work at a business and receive...

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

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

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

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

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

Special guest, Carol Baizer, from the Independent Living Resource Center of the Tri-Counties, shares a threatening voice mail from a fraudulant bill collector. While it sounds official, Baizer points out that the caller omitted vital information such as what the bill was for and what agency they were with. The caller did, however, ask for a call-back where they most certainly would have tried to g...

CABLE TV REPAIR SCAM by Hub for Podcasting

COURT SUMMONS SCAM by Hub for Podcasting

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