Scam Squad

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 [email protected]

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.