Tipline Investigations Archives

Tipline Investigation: Hackers wipeout small business owner’s bank accounts

June 17, 2022 12:24 pm C.J. Ward

Our NewsChannel Tipline investigation delves into the dark world of hackers and thieves. We all deal with passwords, two-factor authentication,… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Orcutt Family’s Zombie Loan Nightmare

March 14, 2024 11:32 am C.J. Ward

We have to go back 15 years to the housing crisis, when many people owed more for their home than it was worth. It was called being "upside down" and… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Tesla Solar faces long list of customer complaints

November 9, 2023 9:07 am C.J. Ward

Solar Power seems to be a bright spot in today’s goal to achieve a clean energy future. One of the most powerful forces behind that effort is Tesla… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Fighting the airlines for pandemic refunds

June 14, 2023 10:23 am C.J. Ward

Our NewsChannel Tipline investigation takes us back to the first days of the pandemic when everything seemed to stop or shutdown. A Santa Barbara… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Buying a car online, not as easy as it looks

March 22, 2023 11:47 am C.J. Ward

Our News Channel Tipline investigation exposes problems with one of the big online car dealers,… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Gina’s journey out of homelessness and reuniting her family

February 13, 2023 1:49 pm C.J. Ward

In October, we introduced you to Gina Quiroz. She’s been homeless for almost six years. But, she’s putting her life back together with the ultimate… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Gina’s Journey, a homeless woman’s pursuit to reunite her family

October 27, 2022 2:17 pm C.J. Ward

Have you ever looked at someone who’s homeless and asked, How did they end up there? Was it something they did? Are they doing anything to change… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Santa Barbara widow must prove 33-year marriage to receive husband’s death benefit

March 27, 2022 2:35 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - This NewsChannel 3 Tipline story profiles a Santa Barbara widow and her two and a half year fight against the Social Security… Continue Reading

2 years and counting: Santa Barbara business owner says the state is giving up on her

March 17, 2022 10:59 am C.J. Ward

For nearly two years, the NewsChannel 3 Tipline has reported on the problems at the California Employment Development Department, better known as the… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Before you travel, read the fine print very carefully

November 11, 2021 9:48 am C.J. Ward

COVID-19 has decimated the travel industry since the start of the pandemic and cruise lines may have gotten the worst of it. Their loyal customers… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara business fights Amazon to get its $100,000 back

October 28, 2021 11:06 am C.J. Ward

Tonight’s Tipline Investigation involves the largest online retailer in the world, Amazon. The retail giant became what it is today partly due to a… Continue Reading

“This is crazy” Tax preparer tells clients he’s not dead

September 8, 2021 9:57 am C.J. Ward

A veteran tax preparer in San Luis Obispo knows all about dealing with complicated issues. He’s been preparing his clients taxes for more than 50… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Santa Maria man forced to prove his identity as crooks steal billions

June 16, 2021 10:02 am C.J. Ward

We have an update on our Tipline investigation into the multi-billion dollar fraud in California’s unemployment… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Stroke survivor wins long fight to get her unemployment benefits

May 13, 2021 10:08 am C.J. Ward

We first profiled Leslie Jackson and her battle against the California Employment Development Department on April 25th. She had applied for benefits… Continue Reading