There is a rather unusual twist in the story of a bear that attacked vehicles in California. Authorities now say the 'bear' is actually something else.

Bears breaking into homes or trash cans in search of food have become a problem in California — from Lake Tahoe in the Sierra down to the foothill suburbs of Los Angeles, where some have been known to raid refrigerators and take dips in backyard pools and hot tubs.

Four people have been charged with insurance fraud for claiming that their cars were trashed by a bear — which was actually someone in a bear costume, officials said Wednesday.