How to be Safe from Scammers & Crooks at Home

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.