Local News
Cable customer scammed out of hundreds of dollars – NBC Los Angeles
Authorities are warning people about a new scam that offers cable company customers a discount while requiring would-be victims to make a payment.
René Flores received a text message promising him a 40% discount on his Spectrum bill. All he had to do was to call the number that appeared on his caller ID.
The deal was for three years, according to Flores, who thought it was a legitimate offer because they sounded very convincing and had all his information.
“[They had] all my information,” Flores says. “They knew when I was going to make a payment. They had the last four of my Social. They also had the Visa card.”
Flores said he ended up sending three $300 gift cards. He even posted on his social media accounts the news of the great deal he had just signed up for.
But a friend, who happened to work at Spectrum, told Flores about the scam.
“She told me and said, ‘René, it’s a scam.’ And I told her, it can’t be. [She] tells me. ‘René, that’s where I work.’”
The new fraud scheme, that Flores fell victim to, offers a discount to cable company customers in exchange for payment with gift cards.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said several people have already reported falling for the same scam, in which the scammers promise big discounts or threaten to cut their service in exchange for gift cards.
“They could be asking for personal information, for example, your Social Security number, license number or address. The thing is that we don’t know who we are talking to on the other side,” said Hilda Martinez of the BBB.
The scammer will take advantage of anything to attract his victims. In the case of Flores, he said that his parents were in serious health, and he was not thinking clearly when he was carried away by the supposed promotion.
Experts point out that, when giving money with gift cards, it is practically impossible to recover it. The scammers empty the account immediately before the victims can report it and stop the payment to recover the funds.
NBC4’s sister station investigative team, Telemundo 52 Responde, contacted Spectrum to report the Flores case.
The company said that “Spectrum will never ask for payment through gift cards, electronic delivery, cryptocurrency or payment applications, nor offer a discount in exchange for payment.”
Spectrum also confirmed that the offer Flores received was not legitimate and invited any customer to call them directly to confirm the validity of any offer.
Local News
How to add California driver’s license to iPhone, Apple Watch – NBC Los Angeles
California driver’s license holders can now add their state ID to Apple Wallet on their IPhone and Apple Watch, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The digital IDs will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check points, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco Airport, as well as select businesses.
“With this new integration, we’re working to better serve the people of California in the 21st Century,” Newsom said in a statement.
Here’s how to add your ID to Apple Wallet
- Go to Apple Wallet
- Click the + button on the top right-hand corner
- Under the “Add to Wallet” section, tap “Driver’s License or State ID” to select “California mDL Pilot.
- Scan the front and back sides of your California ID
- Scan your face
- Take a picture
- Wait for verification from the California DMV.
But there’s a catch
The mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot program is currently only limited to 1.5 million participants.
If your license is expired or suspended, your mDL will be rejected.
Other factors that could impact your mDL applications are:
- Wearing headwear
- Not using plain background
- Lack of consistent lighting
- Other faces in the frame
- Wearing sunglasses
More tips can be found here.
Last month, the state announced the DMV addition of Google Wallet as an option to hold driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Local News
Find Riverside County Airport Fire recovery assistance – NBC Los Angeles
Residents impacted by the Airport Fire in Riverside County can visit a local assistance center in Lake Elsinore.
Residents seeking assistance with food, health care support and more are welcomed to visit the one-stop resource center located at the Lake Community Center. The center will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Public Health, Housing & Workforce Solutions and other local agencies will be joined by representatives from the California Office of Emergency Services and several nonprofit organizations to provide information on how to get financial, medical and related aid.
Residents seeking help also can click here.
On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency declaration, enabling the county to seek state and federal allocations for infrastructure repairs or improvements and general recovery of expenses stemming from the blaze.
As of Thursday, the Airport Fire was 41% contained at more than 23,500 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
For information about Orange County recovery resources, click here.
Local News
Find Orange County Airport Fire recovery resources – NBC Los Angeles
Orange County launched a website and plans to open an assistance center to provide residents with information about recovering from the Airport Fire.
Residents affected by the fire, which also burned in Riverside County, can click here to find information about wildfire assistance.
The county also will open a wildfire recovery assistance center at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The center will be open from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday; 3 to 9 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 28000 Marguerite Parkway in the second-floor lounge.
The fire, which started more than a week ago, has burned 23,519 acres with containment at 39 percent. The fire destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34 others.
Below-normal temperatures are helping firefighters make progress with helicopter water drops. Crews are working to increse the perimeter with warmer weather in the forecast.
Most evacuation orders and warnings were lifted in Orange County, but many are still in effect in Riverside County. Residents can visit this page to determine if their homes are impacted by evacuation orders or warnings.
The fire was one of three major fires that started during a week of extremely warm temperatures in Southern California.
Information about Los Angeles and San Bernardino county recovery resources can be found here.
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