GIFT CARD AND ZELLE PHONE & EMAIL SCAMS

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!