local
‘Scary experience’: CBS journalist Matt Gutman said he was ‘completely scammed’ after falling for fraud phone call
By Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
(Gray News) - CBS News journalist Matt Gutman revealed that he almost withdrew thousands of dollars in savings after falling for a phone scam in Los Angeles.In a video posted on X, Gutman said he came very close to emptying his account after he received a phone call from someone claiming to be fr...
Key takeaway In a video posted on X, Gutman said he came very close to emptying his account after he received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the fraud protection department at his bank.
Why this matters in The Midland
Midland residents should be on high alert for similar scams, as the tactics used to deceive Matt Gutman could easily be replicated in our community. The fact that the scammer was able to gather personal information about Gutman and his bank account is a concern, as it suggests that our personal data may be more vulnerable than we think. The Permian Basin area, with its thriving economy and growing population, may be an attractive target for scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting residents. It's crucial for locals to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those claiming to be from financial institutions, and to verify the authenticity of such calls before taking any action. By being vigilant and aware of these types of scams, Midland residents can protect themselves and their finances from potential fraud.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) - CBS News journalist Matt Gutman revealed that he almost withdrew thousands of dollars in savings after falling for a phone scam in Los Angeles.In a video posted on X, Gutman said he came very close to emptying his account after he received a phone call from someone claiming to be fr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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