Fraud victims recount their experiences on local Scam Squad podcast
New Times SLO (Atascadero)
August 6, 2026
If you've ever gotten a suspicious text about a package delivery or a call from a 'utility company' demanding payment, you're not alone. Santa Barbara County DA's Office Chief Criminal Investigator Kristina Perkins says her Scam Squad podcast has no shortage of material — because these schemes are everywhere, even here on the Central Coast. It's a sobering reminder that fraud doesn't just happen in big cities; it happens in our neighborhoods, to our neighbors.
That's why the Scam Squad podcast, featured recently in New Times SLO (Atascadero), is such a valuable local resource. Each episode lets real victims tell their stories, helping the rest of us spot the red flags before we lose money or personal info. Whether it's a fake grandchild in trouble or a phony IRS agent, the scams evolve, but the playbook stays the same. Listening to these firsthand accounts can be the best defense we have — so before you click that link or wire that money, check out what your local investigators are sharing.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from New Times SLO (Atascadero).
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AtascaderoPublished
August 6, 2026
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