Cellphones around the country are lighting up with text messages like this one, “BofA: Your Bank Card is restricted” or “This important message from BofA” or “BofA Debit Card locked”.   Each of the messages continues with a call for you to respond by making a phone call to the number provided or visiting a website.

If you haven’t seen it already, October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a good time to brush up on your online security measures.  There are things you can do to protect yourself from online crime

As we approach Halloween and consumers look for that perfect costume, some vendors may have cosmetic or decorative contact lenses for sale.  These lenses change the look of your eye but do not correct vision, which is why some consumers think it is harmless to buy them and wear them for a night.

If you're someone who likes the latest, greatest, newest smartphone, tablet or laptop, that likely means you're looking to get rid of a used electronic device.  Many consumers search for ways to sell their used devices and scammers see that as a perfect opportunity to reel them in with promises of big bucks.

Scammers out to take your hard earned money are using phone calls and emails to pose as representatives from utility companies.  Sometimes their caller ID will be the utility's actual 800 number.

The call comes from out of the blue.   The number is not one you recognize and when you answer, someone with a thick accent tells you that your computer system has been hacked and he needs to tap into it immediately to keep you from have any problems or breaches in security.

They are still at it!  Thieves crawling under vehicles and sawing off catalytic converters which they in turn sell for money.  The catalytic converters contain expensive metals that thieves cash in on at recycling centers.  

The Grandparent scam hits the elderly particularly hard.  Those who fall victim to this despicable ploy feel ashamed, embarrassed and usually have lost thousands of dollars.   This scam involves one to several people who pose over the phone as a grandchild, a police officer, or a lawyer.  

Scammers love election-time, particularly when presidential candidates are involved.  It's a time for them to jump on the phone and pressure you into donating money for the person you would like to see take office.  Beware, scammers pocket the money they take from you - and that's not all, if you've given them your personal information and credit card number,  you run the risk of identity theft at a dollar amount far higher than the money you elected to "donate".

It's back-to-school time once again and that means more school buses are on the road, stopping to board or drop-off children.  So when are you required to stop for school buses? 

Recently there have been stories in the news about consumers who haven't received the registration for their newly purchased cars within the required time period.  That puts the consumer at risk of receiving a citation and fine and having their vehicle towed.  How does this happen?

It's not an easy task keeping track of all of our usernames and passwords, and that's why many keep the same username and password for all of their online activity.  

"That's not at all advisable,"  said CSLEA Foundation Chairman Kenny Ehrman. "Unfortunately we have to mix things up, because if your login information is breached, you don't just have one account exposed, everything becomes vulnerable."

Pushy, fast-talking scammers love to target senior citizens because seniors are sometimes vulnerable and give in.  By giving in, we mean giving a stranger vital, personal information over the phone that can then be used to drained precious savings accounts.

With schools closing their doors for summer and kids out and about playing, it's time to be extra cautious behind the wheel.  Keep an eye out for young pedestrians, skateboarders and bicyclists throughout the entire day.  Take extra care when driving near parks and playgrounds.  

College students, beware.  The Federal Trade Commission has received complaints about scam artists who are calling students and demanding they pay a federal student tax.  There is no such thing as a "federal student tax."  Hang up.

So you think you're the only one getting a call from a scammer claiming to be from the IRS?  Check out AARP's improved Scam-Tracking map and find out what fraudulent activity is going on in your neighborhood.

On May 15, 2016,  a 4-year-old boy drowned in a Rohnert Park apartment complex swimmingpool. Undetected by family and tenants who were nearby, the child slipped off his kickboard and went underwater.

When you're involved in a motor vehicle accident,  things can become stressful and emotional as quickly as the crash happened.  That's why we recommend that you carry an  accident checklist in your vehicle which will instruct you to take photographs and about what information you should document.   

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is alerting citizens to a recent rash of credit card skimmers detected at gas stations in its jurisdiction.  Credit card skimmers are used by identity thieves who are out to steal from your bank account.  Credit card skimmers  can be placed anywhere you swipe your card including gas pumps, ATMs, restaurants and stores.