Santa Barbara County

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Santa Barbara

California

In its 13th year, we invite friends, families, and all community members to share and reflect on our unhoused population who...

Longest NIght Memorial

 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker: More than 3,600 

Better Business Bureau of the Tricounties

The Tri-Counties Better Business Bureau has just issued a new report on scams to Businesses. In 2024, the local BBB logged nearly 1,800,000 reliability reports from local citizens. The new BBB® business scams study shows that stolen data, impostors and fake services have been doing great harm to businesses across North America. Since 2022, business scam reports to BBB Scam TrackerSM have totaled more than 3,600. These scams involved employee and vendor impersonations, theft of social media accounts, data breaches, and many more scam types. Reports to Better Business Bureau® show that business scammers can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in a flash without proper protections. Further reports to federal agencies show total losses of billions each year. In the “BBB Study: How impostors, stolen data, and fake services cost businesses billions," the International Investigations Initiative examines patterns of reports, reviews the amount of money lost and shares stories from those caught up in the scams so businesses can avoid them. Key findings: Business scams are ubiquitous across North America and come in many forms. Losses are staggering for businesses. The average data breach costs a company $4.9 million, a figure that excludes some of the largest losses. Data breaches cost businesses a total of $1.4 billion in 2024,according to FBI data. Billions more are stolen through elaborate schemes, such as business email compromise scams, where scammers steal employees’ identities and use them to convince others to hand over cash or sensitive information. Business scam reports across North America (2023-2024): 3,647 – BBB Scam Tracker 74,489 – Federal Bureau of Investigation 9,286 – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre All businesses who have experienced scams are encouraged to report them to the local BBB.

The Tri-Counties Better Business Bureau has just issued a new report on scams to Businesses. In 2024, the local BBB logged nearly 1,800,000...

🌱 Patch AM: Historic CA Restaurant Sues...

Also, don’t miss Trail Talks Open Mic: Tales from the Wild on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Historic CA Restaurant Sues Landlord Over 'Unconscionable' Rent: Report

Community Corner

Historic CA Restaurant Sues Landlord Over ...

The restaurant’s current rent is $61,403.70 per month, according to SFGate.

Historic CA Restaurant Sues Landlord Over 'Unconscionable' Rent: Report

Business

🌱 Patch AM: Why a Mesa fatal hit-and-run...

Coming up on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar: LOTG | Shoreline Park

🌱 Patch AM: Why a Mesa fatal hit-and-run brought only a two-year sentence

🌱 Patch AM: Will Goleta’s $1.55M spill...

And on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar - Parkour Grades 1-6

🌱 Patch AM: Will Goleta’s $1.55M spill settlement really protect Santa Barbara’s water?

🌱 Patch AM: How UCSB’s next ace could shape a...

And on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar - Venice Holiday Concert

🌱 Patch AM: How UCSB’s next ace could shape a powerhouse Gaucho pitching staff

Cailin Loesch

This Is The Most Charming Small Town In...

It is described as a "rare gem" that has a walkable wine community, world-class cuisine, luxury amenities — don't overlook its deep history.

This Is The Most Charming Small Town In California, New Report Says

Free Seedlings AT SEEAG’s 3rd Annual Plantopia 

Stop by SEEAG's booth at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival April 26 and 27 to pick up your seedlings.

Home & Garden

SEEAG's Earth Day Plantopia “U-Pick Your Garden...

For a $35 donation, participants can select a combination of 12 small plants to fill two six-pack containers. 

Nearby Communities

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Free Seedlings AT SEEAG’s 3rd Annual Plantopia

Free Seedlings AT SEEAG’s 3rd Annual Plantopia

SEEAG's Earth Day Plantopia “U-Pick Your Garden” Fundraiser

SEEAG's Earth Day Plantopia “U-Pick Your Garden” Fundraiser

Longest NIght Memorial

Better Business Bureau of the Tricounties