Scams & Cons
Jim Grinstead
Why would anyone give thousands of dollars to a Nigerian prince? Or play Three Card Monte – it’s a well-known scam? Or be lulled into a marriage with someone you’ve never met face-to-face.Scammers and con artists do it all the time and the Scams and Cons podcast pulls the curtain back and tells you how it is done.Trust us. You should subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
- 19 minutes 17 secondsCan scam victims get justice?
If you've been scammed, will you get your money back? Will you get justice? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
While it may be your life savings, the amounts are generally too small and police have such limited resources that they can't help. Your best hope is that your scam was part of a much larger operation that police can get resources to chase.
This week we tell you while justice is so elusive and that the best defense is a good offense. Protect yourself.27 February 2025, 7:00 am - 11 minutes 55 secondsScammers are using Amber Alerts to steal info on your child
Your child is safe at home, but scammers are calling to get info about them to put into a state "registry." It's a scam ... don't fall for it.
Hear this story and more on Scams & Cons News.20 February 2025, 7:00 am - 22 minutes 23 secondsScammers do stupid things, too. Let us tell you about them.
It's easy to think of a scammer as a slick, sophisticated character, ready to outsmart your every move.
Not so fast.
Scammers do stupid stuff too, and we're here to tell you about them. Listen in for a good laugh and relief that they aren't as clever as we think they are.13 February 2025, 7:00 am - 14 minutes 3 secondsOne bad click wipes out a life's savings and a scammer took the money, but kept the pictures
In the early days of computing, we were afraid that if we pushed one wrong button, we'd lose all our work -- and that frequently happened.
Nowadays, the risk isn't so high and total losses are rare, but scammers have figured out how to convince you to push just one button that allows them to steal your money and anything else personal on your computer.
We'll tell you about that and about a former TV anchor who was arrested for taking money intended for the poor.
Listen at ScamsAndCons.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
Support the podcast6 February 2025, 7:00 am - 3 minutes 17 secondsWelcome to Season 8
We're kicking off season 8 with a look at some really stupid scammers, then come back by asking if victims can ever really get justice.
The news is back with some changes and we'll be taking several dives into how AI is being used by scammers and con artists.
Plus, beginning this season, you'll be able to text me with your comments, questions or anything that's on your mind. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks for listening!30 January 2025, 7:00 am - 15 minutes 45 secondsREPLAY: Time travelers are scamming thousands
People are coming back from the future. Some want computers to help solve problems for which the need ancient software, while others need some cold, hard cash to survive in this primitive world of ours.
People are handing money over to these con artists without asking a simple question: Why are future IT people too stupid to keep their technology up-to-date and they need to travel back in time so we can fix it for them?
Support the podcast23 January 2025, 7:00 am - 23 minutes 31 secondsREPLAY: Miracle cures have arrived! Whatever the ailment, they will do the job
Think of all the music jingles you've heard over the years, promising that this pill or that one will help prevent cancer, ease your aching bones or guarantee you a longer, healthier life.
It's snake oil and in this episode we tell you the difference between Western medicine, alternative medicine and outright frauds.
Pay close attention, because some people will swallow anything.
Support the podcast9 January 2025, 7:00 am - 22 minutes 6 secondsSquatters are getting more creative - and more politicalWe're talking about squatters again, primarily because they are improving their tactics and because they can rob you of your single largest investment. And it's a scam you don't see coming until it has already happened.Squatters are also organizing. They are forming unions of sorts to change or create laws that protect what they see are their rights.Scammers are always one step ahead of us. Listen in because we can't afford to be left behind.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices26 December 2024, 7:00 am
- 27 minutes 15 secondsAdoption fraud: When hopeful parents are robbed of their dreamAdoption agencies can be difficult to work with. They have many requirements that must be met, and justifiably so. They want to make sure an adopted child finds a good and safe home.But some potential parents are patient. They want a faster process and are willing to pay to move to the top of the line. Desperation and fear is where scammers like to operate and today we'll tell you how they do it.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices12 December 2024, 7:00 am
- 13 minutes 2 secondsThe swoop and squat scam is back!The old scam called the swoop and squat is back! It involves two cars with one swooping in front of a another, then coming to a halt. The scammers hope the rear driver will pay up without involving an insurance company. If no crash occurs, the scammers just put their car in reverse and slam into the car behind.Cars and trucks that have been flooded as part of recent storms, are being patched together and shipped to other states for sale. Don't be a sucker, check your prospective new car out before you buy.Support the podcastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices5 December 2024, 7:00 am
- 21 minutes 24 secondsScammers say Black Friday 'tis the season to be stealingFake websites are the hot thing this holiday season and they'll be popping up everywhere.You'll be amazed at how easy it is to set up a fake website. We'll tell you how it happens -- not how to do it.Listen to Scams and Cons wherever you get podcastsSupport the podcastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices28 November 2024, 7:00 am
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