The Billion-Dollar Scam Industry Targeting Your Parents with Patrick Coughlin
Release Date: 06/24/2026
The Secure Family Podcast
How Someone Might Track You and How to Protect Yourself Andy Murphy explains common ways people may track someone or their child and how to respond safely. Using a real case where an automotive technician found a GPS tracker on a woman’s car, Andy breaks down how you could be tracked. He covers physical vehicle tracking methods like magnetic GPS units, OBD-II plug-in trackers, hardwired devices, and built-in connected car services. Plus, he recommends inspection areas inside and outside a car. He also discusses technology-enabled stalking through shared...
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Protecting Kids From Online Grooming and Sextortion with Laura Parker of The Exodus Road Andy Murphy hosts the Secure Family Podcast. Today he interviews Laura Parker, CEO and co-founder of The Exodus Road, a global nonprofit fighting human trafficking. She explains how exploitation has moved online, enabling predators to groom and extort many children quickly through platforms like Instagram, Roblox, and apps with disappearing messages. They discuss the signs of grooming like “love bombing.” Laura emphasizes frequent micro-conversations, building trust so kids report...
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Protect your car with these simple habits Andy Murphy of The Secure Family Podcast explains how to keep someone from stealing your car from your driveway. Car theft is not a simple smash and grab anymore. Andy shares how thieves have gone high-tech to steal everything from luxury cars to daily drivers. Simple habits, as he explains, will go a long way into keeping your car and family safe. Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a with promo code: DAD. Protect your senior parents from scams with this free video...
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Burglary Tourism: How Theft Groups Target Homes and How to Defend Yours with Mike O’Rourke of Advanced Operational Concepts Andy interviews security expert Mike O’Rourke the CEO of Advanced Operational Concepts about “burglary tourism.” These are gangs who enter the U.S. to conduct targeted burglaries of affluent homes. O’Rourke details their tradecraft: OSINT/“Google casing,” people-search sites, county records and Zillow, social media exploitation, vehicle follows, illegal trackers, hidden cameras to build patterns of life, and illegal Wi‑Fi/cellular...
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Did We Accidentally Build a Surveillance Network? Andy Murphy discusses automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, explaining how they work, the positive change they bring and the negatives of constant surveillance. He also covers expanding capabilities such as audio/distress detection, cybersecurity concerns about publicly accessible cameras, and emerging device-signal tracking like Leonardo’s SignalTrace, arguing communities may have approved “plate readers” that evolved into broader surveillance systems. Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor...
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Inside AI-Powered Imposter Scams with Patrick Coughlin Host Andy Murphy interviews cybersecurity veteran Patrick Coughlin, CEO of Savvy Security and creator of the free ScamWise tool, about the modern scam economy and how AI is accelerating fraud. Patrick recounts how his mother was targeted by a spoofed-phone impersonation/kidnapping scam using a voice that sounded like his sister and a demand for $1,200 for her safe return. Together they discuss why scams overwhelm even savvy people, how shame drives underreporting, and why seniors are targeted due to concentrated...
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Be ready for the next big emergency and it won’t be a disaster. Andy of The Secure Family Podcast shares practical ways he prepares his family for likely disasters using lessons from Hurricane Helene to show how fragile modern infrastructure can be. He emphasizes planning ahead to reduce chaos, starting with a family communication plan and adding backup communications beyond smartphones. Protect your business and your peace of mind. Go to . When you use that link, you’ll also get a free year of social media protection for every seat you purchase. Be ready for the next natural...
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AI: Navigating Trust, Data Risks, and the Future with Rick Alonzo Andy Murphy hosts a high-level conversation with Rick Alonzo (Rickonomics), a former US Army intelligence analyst and strategic business intelligence founder, about how AI is reshaping society, business, and parenting. They discuss the post-honeymoon reality of AI adoption, trust and terms-of-service risks, and how data collection, especially through consumer tech and AI-enabled toys, can affect families, including teens using AI for companionship. They cover the importance of human judgment,...
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Protect Yourself from the Next Data Breach In this episode of The Secure Family Podcast, Andy explains why data breaches are a serious, ongoing reality. These are not to be ignored as they can lead to all sorts of issues including identity theft for you, your children and your aging parents. Be ready for the next natural disaster. Download The Secure Dad Family Disaster Preparedness Guide for free. Get . Protect your business and your peace of mind. Go to . When you use that link, you’ll also get a free year of social media protection for every seat you purchase. Connect...
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Eyes Wide Open: Staying Safe in “Safe” Places with David Lashley Andy Murphy hosts the Secure Family Podcast and interviews David Lashley, a courthouse law enforcement professional and Director of Courthouse Security with 25+ years protecting judges, juries, and victims. David explains how “safe places” like courthouses, restaurants, churches, and schools can become dangerous when people grow comfortable and complacent, especially in familiar environments or when distracted by phones. Read David Lashley’s book: Take control of your data...
info_outlineInside AI-Powered Imposter Scams with Patrick Coughlin
Host Andy Murphy interviews cybersecurity veteran Patrick Coughlin, CEO of Savvy Security and creator of the free ScamWise tool, about the modern scam economy and how AI is accelerating fraud. Patrick recounts how his mother was targeted by a spoofed-phone impersonation/kidnapping scam using a voice that sounded like his sister and a demand for $1,200 for her safe return.
Together they discuss why scams overwhelm even savvy people, how shame drives underreporting, and why seniors are targeted due to concentrated wealth. Coughlin outlines today’s scam “anatomy” and describes scam call-center “compounds,” including potential human trafficking.
For more from Patrick Coughlin visit: https://scamwise.com/
Grab Patrick’s book: https://www.darksideoftheboom.com/
Protect your business and your peace of mind. Go to JoinDeleteMe.com/dad-biz. When you use that link, you’ll also get a free year of social media protection for every seat you purchase.
Be ready for the next natural disaster. Download The Secure Dad Family Disaster Preparedness Guide for free. Get your copy here.
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00:00 Show Welcome
01:03 Sponsor DeleteMe
02:27 Free Preparedness Guide
02:57 Meet Patrick Coughlin
05:13 Mom Impersonation Scam
12:16 Why Smart People Fall
17:00 Anatomy of Modern Scams
23:48 Scam Economy Explosion
25:42 Organized Crime Goes Digital
27:34 AI Makes Scams Cheap
31:40 Why Criminals Adopt Tech
32:59 Inside Scam Compounds
41:36 Trust Crisis On Phones
45:46 Rapid Fire Scam Tips
49:25 Protecting Older Relatives
52:35 Scamwise And Book Plug
53:48 Podcast Wrap And Sponsor
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