Scam Squad

Scmsqd - 2023 - 09 - 23 - Tech Supp Scams by Hub for Podcasting

Scmsqd - 2023 - 09 - 16 - Celeberty Romance Scams by Hub for Podcasting

Scmsqd - 2023 - 09 - 09 - Stop Writing Checks by Hub for Podcasting

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.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 08 - 26 by Hub for Podcasting

Scmsqd - 2023 - 08 - 19 - Publishers Clearinghouse by Hub for Podcasting

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.

Scmsqd - 2023 - 07 - 22 - Tech Support Scam by Hub for Podcasting