Easy Prey
Chris Parker, the founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, interviews guests and tells real-life stories about topics to open your eyes to the danger and traps lurking in the real world, ranging from online scams and frauds to everyday situations where people are trying to take advantage of you—for their gain and your loss. Our goal is to educate and equip you, so you learn how to spot the warning signs of trouble, take quick action, and lower the risk of becoming a victim.
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Protecting Kids Online
10/07/2026
Protecting Kids Online
Kids are growing up with technology in a way none of us did. Phones, games, social media, school devices, and now AI are all part of everyday life, and parents are left trying to figure out how much access is too much. Keeping kids completely away from technology probably isn’t realistic, but neither is handing them everything and hoping they figure it out. My guest today is Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, author, and digital safety advocate. Chris works with families, schools, churches, legislators, and technology companies to help create safer digital spaces for kids. His path into this work began after a career in business and ministry, where he started seeing firsthand how quickly smartphones and other devices were changing childhood and the kinds of risks young people were encountering. In our conversation, we discuss what “the right tech at the right time” can look like, how parents can introduce more independence without handing over everything at once, and why relationships and conversations matter just as much as parental controls. We also get into social media, smartphones, gaming, AI, and the pressure kids face when everyone around them seems to have access to the same platforms. Chris also shares practical ways families can lower risk, build digital discernment, and give kids room to make smaller mistakes while they are still learning. Show Notes: [00:50] Chris McKenna shares how his background in business and ministry eventually led him to work in digital safety and launch Protect Young Eyes. [02:52] We discuss why parents began giving smartphones and tablets to younger children and how technology gradually became part of nearly every area of life. [07:39] We look at the pressure parents face when other kids already have smartphones, social media, and unrestricted access to the internet. [10:54] We discuss how online risks have changed the old idea of “stranger danger” and why kids need to recognize concerning behaviors instead of simply avoiding strangers. [12:09] Chris explains why he believes in giving kids the right technology at the right time instead of either banning technology completely or giving them unrestricted access. [17:00] We discuss the five habits Chris recommends for families, including modeling healthy technology use, building strong relationships, delaying addictive technology, and adding layers of protection. [20:32] We talk about digital leadership and why adults and kids both need to learn how to slow down before reacting emotionally online. [22:19] We discuss what parents should consider before giving young teens access to smartphones and social media. [25:44] Chris explains how parents can create a gradual path toward greater technology access instead of simply saying no without explaining what comes next. [30:00] We discuss the shared responsibility of parents, technology companies, schools, policymakers, and others when it comes to protecting children online. [35:12] We turn to artificial intelligence and discuss how parents can begin conversations with kids about AI through curiosity rather than condemnation. [36:16] Chris explains the difference between relational and technical tools for managing AI and why parents should know which apps their children are downloading. [38:28] We discuss AI companions and why Chris believes minors should not be using highly personalized AI relationships without strong boundaries. [40:11] Chris explains his seven-day rule and why parents should try apps themselves before deciding whether their children are ready to use them. [44:24] We discuss some of Chris’s strongest recommendations for families, including monitoring devices and keeping parents in charge of the technology in their homes. [46:03] Chris explains the idea of helping kids “fail small” so they can develop better judgment while parents are still there to guide them. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Hidden Phone Tracking
09/23/2026
Hidden Phone Tracking
Your phone gives off a surprising amount of information just by being connected to a cellular network. Things like your location, who you communicate with, and your daily patterns can all become part of the data tied to your mobile service. While some of that information is necessary to keep a cellular network functioning, questions remain about how much data carriers really need to collect, how long they should keep it, and what happens when that information ends up in the wrong hands. My guest today is Ruddy Wang, head of consumer growth at CAPE, a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to collect as little customer information as possible. Ruddy began his career as a U.S. diplomat before moving into the technology world, including roles at Facebook and Uber, where he helped launch more than 100 cities across Brazil. His experience in government and technology gave him an early look at how much information our phones can reveal and how that data can be used, which eventually led him to CAPE and its effort to rethink mobile service with privacy and security built in from the start. In our conversation, we discuss how cellular networks track phones, why identifiers such as IMSI and IMEI numbers matter, and how signaling attacks can potentially intercept calls or text messages without the user realizing anything has happened. We also get into SIM swaps, some of the weaknesses in traditional carrier security, and what CAPE is doing differently to make mobile service more private. We also talk about practical steps people can take to reduce unnecessary data sharing and strengthen the security of their accounts, even if they have no plans to change mobile carriers. Show Notes: [01:02] Ruddy Wang shares his background and how his work as a diplomat and in technology shaped his interest in mobile privacy. [04:36] We discuss why cellular carriers retain customer data and how that information can be monetized or shared. [07:19] We break down IMSI and IMEI numbers and how these identifiers can be used to recognize and track phones. [10:13] We explore signaling attacks and how someone may be able to track a phone or intercept communications through the global telecom system. [12:22] We compare signaling attacks with SIM swaps and explain why some attacks can happen without the phone owner noticing anything unusual. [14:42] We discuss why vulnerabilities built into the global telecommunications system can be difficult to prevent and what users can do to reduce their exposure. [18:56] We look at the differences between traditional mobile network operators and MVNOs and how those relationships affect service and security. [20:26] We discuss how CAPE uses its own mobile core and SIM technology to add privacy protections while still relying on other carriers' towers. [23:19] We explore the limits of cellular privacy, including why traditional phone calls cannot offer the same end-to-end encryption as some messaging apps. [26:32] We discuss how CAPE approaches SIM swap protection by giving customers control through a recovery phrase rather than relying on customer support. [28:35] We talk about who is most interested in privacy-focused mobile service and why demand has expanded beyond people with high-risk security concerns. [32:55] We discuss how much personal information mobile carriers actually need from customers and CAPE's approach to collecting less data. [36:18] We look at the cost of privacy-focused mobile service and how CAPE's pricing and referral model compares with traditional carriers. [40:20] We discuss Ruddy's experience with a convincing fake crowdfunding site and how the scam managed to fool him. [43:10] We share practical ways to improve mobile privacy and account security, including opting out of data sharing and moving away from SMS authentication. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Ransomware Evolution
09/16/2026
Ransomware Evolution
Ransomware has changed dramatically over the years. What started as criminals locking up individual computers and demanding relatively small payments has grown into a much larger operation involving stolen data, entire networks, third-party vendors, and increasingly sophisticated ways of pressuring victims to pay. Now AI is adding another wrinkle, giving criminals new tools while also creating some unexpected problems for them. Joining me to talk about how ransomware has evolved is Allan Liska, a ransomware researcher and Field CISO at Recorded Future. Allan has more than 30 years of experience in information security and has spent the last 12 years researching ransomware. He has advised major corporations and government agencies, served on national ransomware task forces, and written extensively about ransomware and threat intelligence. We talk about how ransomware became the business it is today, why small businesses can be just as vulnerable as larger organizations, and how attackers are increasingly going after trusted vendors instead of their intended targets directly. We also discuss what happens inside an organization after an attack, why disrupting ransomware groups really can make a difference, how AI is being used by criminals, and some of the mistakes ransomware operators make that ultimately work against them. Show Notes: [01:06] Allan Liska introduces himself and shares how his work at FireEye led him to begin researching ransomware more than a decade ago. [03:10] Growing ransomware problems pushed Allan and other researchers to begin developing better detections for attacks that many security teams were overlooking. [05:22] Ransomware evolved from attacks on individual computers to taking down entire networks and later stealing data to pressure victims into paying. [06:30] Publicly naming victims gave ransomware groups their own form of publicity and made it much harder for organizations to quietly deny an attack. [08:05] Encryption creates technical challenges for criminals, and stealing valuable data can sometimes be just as effective as encrypting an organization’s systems. [09:28] Attackers increasingly target vendors and partners, while some groups are now using AI to create fake stolen data and falsely claim organizations as victims. [13:05] Chris and Allan discuss how transparency and regular communication can help organizations manage public trust after a security incident. [14:35] Ransomware response can quickly lead to employee burnout, making outside coordination and basic needs like sleep, food, and scheduling an important part of incident management. [16:14] A major breach may temporarily open security budgets, so organizations should already know which improvements they would prioritize after an incident. [23:29] International law enforcement agencies have become increasingly creative about tracking ransomware operators and waiting for them to make mistakes. [25:48] Being skilled at hacking does not necessarily mean criminals are equally skilled at protecting their identities or activities from intelligence agencies. [28:21] Ransomware groups frequently make technical and strategic mistakes, including faulty AI-generated tools, reused encryption keys, and stealing data nobody considers valuable. [29:36] Fewer ransomware victims are paying, but average payments are increasing, and ransomware remains profitable enough to attract new threat actors. [33:09] Allan explains why simply banning ransom payments may not work and discusses approaches that could give governments better intelligence about where payments go. [39:33] Collaboration remains an important part of ransomware research, and Allan encourages people entering the field to learn from other researchers and security communities. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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The Counterfeit Economy
09/09/2026
The Counterfeit Economy
A counterfeit handbag may leave someone disappointed. A counterfeit medication, airbag, or child’s car seat can do far more damage. Fake products now reach into nearly every part of daily life, and many of them arrive through online stores that look completely legitimate. Kari Kammel saw the danger firsthand when a pharmacist overseas offered her several versions of the same medication. Some were authentic, while others were openly described as counterfeit. That experience stayed with her. She now directs the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, where she works with consumers, brands, researchers, and law enforcement. Kari talks about how counterfeit goods enter the marketplace and why they have become so difficult to recognize. She explains what shoppers should examine before placing an order and what to check when the package arrives. The conversation also looks at the health risks behind fake products, the criminal activity they may fund, and the real reason an unbelievable deal can be so cheap. Show Notes: [01:04] Kari Kammel explains how the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection works to keep fake products away from consumers. [02:28] An encounter with counterfeit medication leads Kari into the field of brand protection. [03:34] Why even counterfeit experts sometimes purchase fake products by mistake. [06:11] The worldwide scale of counterfeiting and how online sales accelerated its growth. [08:30] Small direct-to-consumer packages make counterfeit shipments harder for customs officials to detect. [10:46] Why the word “dupe” can refer to either a legitimate alternative or an illegal counterfeit. [13:22] Counterfeit goods extend far beyond luxury items into car parts, electronics, toys, and medical products. [16:08] The health risks of fake clothing, cancer medications, and injectable weight-loss drugs. [18:12] Why people become less cautious and more impulsive while shopping online. [19:38] Only the brand can confirm authenticity, but consumers can still look for warning signs. [20:29] Checking the seller, business address, website, and contact information before placing an order. [23:30] Suspicious photographs, fake reviews, unusual prices, and shortages that attract counterfeit sellers. [25:41] What packaging, shipping origin, and product differences can reveal after an order arrives. [27:25] How unauthorized “third shift” manufacturing produces goods outside a brand’s quality controls. [28:36] Following the money from counterfeit sales to organized crime and other illegal activity. [31:58] How counterfeiters divide shipments and change tactics to avoid customs inspections. [35:00] The countries involved in manufacturing, transporting, and purchasing counterfeit goods. [38:15] How brands search for fake products and try to remove them from online marketplaces. [39:15] The whack-a-mole problem created by counterfeit listings and AI-generated advertisements. [41:00] Child labor, human trafficking, unsafe factories, and the hidden costs behind cheaper products. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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The Internet is Playing You
09/02/2026
The Internet is Playing You
A convincing lie no longer needs to look suspicious. It can appear in a familiar social media feed, come from someone who seems real, or arrive as a video that looks almost impossible to fake. By the time doubt sets in, the post may already have been shared thousands of times. Few people understand that online environment better than today’s guest. Nina Jankowicz has spent more than a decade studying what she calls the bad things that happen on the internet. She is an internationally recognized expert on disinformation and online harassment. She was also named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in AI. Nina explains how disinformation spreads and why emotional content travels so quickly. She talks about online harassment, doxxing, romance scams, and AI-generated impersonation. The conversation also covers ways to check questionable information and protect your personal data. Just as important, Nina shares how to step away from trolls before they take over your time and attention. Show Notes: [01:00] Nina Jankowicz describes her work studying disinformation, online harassment, and AI-generated harm. [03:50] The important difference between misinformation and deliberate disinformation. [05:09] Why an emotional reaction may be a sign that someone is trying to manipulate you. [07:09] How social media platforms monetize attention and reward harmful engagement. [10:05] Using lateral reading and multiple sources to evaluate questionable online content. [12:27] Why slowing down matters when an image or video may have been generated by AI. [14:04] How algorithmic feeds have made information consumption increasingly passive. [17:01] When an aggressive disagreement crosses the line into harassment. [19:34] Threats, doxxing, and the limits of platforms and law enforcement. [22:18] Nina’s one-reply rule and how blocking trolls removes the attention they want. [24:07] Why laws and law enforcement training have not kept pace with cyberstalking. [26:06] Preserving screenshots, documenting abuse, and asking employers for support. [29:23] Password managers, two-factor authentication, and the personal details hidden in photos. [32:34] Removing information from data brokers and making online safety more manageable. [34:40] A romance scam involving stolen images and real-time AI impersonation. [37:35] Why older adults need digital literacy training as much as children do. [39:44] Addressing disinformation without suppressing speech or telling people what to believe. [42:12] How social media incentives favor profitable engagement over trustworthy information. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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The Psychology of Yes
08/26/2026
The Psychology of Yes
It is easy to say you would never fall for a scam when you are looking at the situation from the outside. In the moment, though, things can feel much less obvious. A request may sound reasonable, the person may seem trustworthy, and saying no can feel awkward enough that you go along with something you would normally question. Today’s guest studies exactly why that happens. Vanessa Bohns is the Bronstein Family Professor and Chair of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University’s ILR School. Her work focuses on social influence, compliance, and the pressure people feel to cooperate, even when they are uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do. Vanessa shares several experiments that show just how strong that pressure can be. People agreed to write in library books and even handed over their unlocked phones. She explains why it can be tougher to refuse someone in person or over the phone. The conversation also covers a few simple ways to slow things down before making a decision. Show Notes: [01:00] Vanessa Bohns explains how she began studying influence and why people are more likely to say yes than expected. [04:01] Small favors reveal how much people underestimate the power of a simple request. [06:53] The library book experiment shows how awkwardness can outweigh clear ethical concerns. [09:58] Why people are wired to cooperate and avoid the social discomfort of saying no. [15:37] How scammers use a few believable details to make an unlikely story feel true. [18:32] Why a small cue of authority can be more convincing than an elaborate explanation. [22:29] Creating distance from a request gives you time to think and verify what is happening. [25:31] Advance warning helps people make a more thoughtful decision instead of reacting automatically. [29:46] Participants hand over their unlocked phones even when private search histories are at stake. [33:16] Incentives and the fear of losing access can push people to break their own rules. [34:24] Social pressure can be powerful even when there is no financial reward. [37:49] A phishing email uses authority, urgency, and reciprocity to fool an influence expert. [41:02] Firm personal rules can make it easier to resist pressure from salespeople and scammers. [44:20] Asking for a request in writing reduces pressure and gives you time to process it. [46:20] Why knowledge does not make anyone immune and scam victims deserve more grace. [48:20] Helping a family member avoid another scam without blaming them for what already happened. [49:20] Vanessa’s final takeaway on slowing things down and preparing for the possibility that anyone can be fooled. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Drink Spiking
08/19/2026
Drink Spiking
A drink can be out of your sight for only a moment, but that may be all it takes for someone to tamper with it. Spiking can happen in bars, restaurants, festivals, and even among people who already know and trust each other. It also goes far beyond alcohol. Drinks, food, vapes, cigarettes, and other substances can be altered without someone’s knowledge, leaving them vulnerable before they fully understand what is happening. Dawn Dines has spent more than 20 years working to change how people understand and respond to spiking. She is the founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, a UK charity focused on education, prevention, training, and better safeguarding practices. Her work has helped bring spiking into the public conversation and pushed for stronger laws, better training, and more support for people who have experienced it. Dawn talks about the experiences that led her into this work and what she has learned from victims over the years. She explains some of the signs that a person may have been spiked, why it can be so difficult to know exactly what happened, and what friends or staff can do when someone suddenly seems far more intoxicated than they should be. She also shares practical ways people can look out for each other while still going out and enjoying themselves. Show Notes: [00:44] Dawn Dines shares how her 20-year campaign against spiking helped push for changes to UK law. [02:18] Spiking can involve drinks, food, vapes, cigarettes, and even needles, not just alcoholic beverages. [04:27] Dawn recalls two frightening experiences while traveling that showed her how easily someone could be drugged without their knowledge. [07:32] She explains why she continued campaigning despite years of resistance and how public pressure helped bring greater attention to the issue. [10:41] Spiking affects both men and women, and Dawn describes how widespread the problem has become around the world. [13:37] Victims may struggle to understand what happened, especially when friends or family assume they simply drank too much. [16:35] Dawn explains how quickly symptoms can develop and why getting to a trusted person immediately can make a difference. [19:54] Education can help hospitality workers, security teams, and the public recognize when someone’s behavior changes suddenly. [23:06] Victim blaming, embarrassment, and memory loss are among the reasons many incidents are never reported. [26:58] Bars and restaurants can reduce risk through staff training, drink covers, safety information, and clear procedures for helping customers. [28:41] Dawn discusses the growing awareness of spiking and why cooperation across countries, venues, and law enforcement matters. [31:48] Witnesses, security footage, recovered substances, and quick reporting can all help investigators build a case. [34:18] Dawn encourages people to stay vigilant and look out for one another without allowing the threat of spiking to stop them from enjoying their lives. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Love, Lies and Locked Up
08/12/2026
Love, Lies and Locked Up
What sounds like the plot of a crime thriller was Sharon Armstrong’s real life. An online romance drew her into an elaborate web of lies involving overseas contracts, invented emergencies, and several people playing carefully planned roles. By the time she arrived at an airport in Argentina with five kilograms of cocaine hidden inside her suitcase, she still believed she was carrying business documents for the man she loved. Sharon was arrested and spent more than two years in an Argentinian prison before returning home without a conviction. During that time, she had to confront the truth of what had happened and find a way to forgive herself. She later wrote about the experience in her book, *Organized Deception*. Today, she is an author and international scam awareness advocate who works to educate the public, support survivors, and challenge the shame that often keeps victims silent. In this episode, we talk about how the criminals built trust so quickly, why warnings from loved ones can be difficult to hear, and how organized scam networks use kindness and personal values against the people they target. Sharon also explains why she no longer says she “fell for” a romance scam. She was deliberately targeted by sophisticated criminals, and she believes the attention belongs on those who planned the deception rather than on the person they harmed. Show Notes: [01:12] Sharon begins the story of moving to Australia and unexpectedly being signed up for an online dating site. [03:36] A convincing introduction quickly develops into an intense romance with someone claiming to be an engineer. [04:52] The first request for money tests the trust that had already been built through a carefully fabricated story. [06:18] The scammers introduce new characters and create a plan for Sharon to travel to London through Argentina. [09:07] Family concerns grow as the relationship begins to take priority over the people who had always mattered most to her. [11:34] A suitcase supposedly carrying business documents arrives after Sharon has spent a confusing week alone in Argentina. [13:21] Airport officials discover five kilograms of cocaine hidden beneath the lining of the suitcase. [15:46] Sharon describes surviving the first days minute by minute before spending two and a half years in prison. [18:09] Criminals study a target’s values, kindness, history, and online presence to create a story that feels deeply personal. [20:58] A dramatization of Sharon’s story shows how organized manipulation can gradually change someone’s behavior and relationships. [23:16] Her experience as a probation officer did not protect her from grooming that closely resembled techniques she already understood. [25:07] More than 7,000 messages over five months reveal the intensity of the communication and how difficult it was to recognize from inside the relationship. [28:13] Healing begins when Sharon decides to forgive herself rather than continue carrying shame for what the criminals did. [30:04] Denial can become a safe place when accepting the truth feels more painful than continuing to believe the story. [32:08] Public humiliation adds another layer of trauma after details of Sharon’s arrest are released to the media. [34:27] Each day in prison begins with a choice to move toward happiness rather than allow the experience to make her bitter. [37:52] Writing, speaking publicly, and sharing her story become important parts of rebuilding her life. [40:09] Sharon rejects the phrase “fell for a scam” and explains why victims should be described as people deliberately targeted by organized criminals. [42:18] The title Organised Deception shifts attention toward the people who intentionally planned and carried out the crime. [43:17] Victim blaming can make people feel safer because it allows them to believe the same thing could never happen to them. [46:02] Sharon believes being arrested may have saved her life and kept her from being trafficked through an even more dangerous country. [48:34] Families increasingly reach out for help as they recognize the seriousness of romance scams and look for ways to support someone they love. [50:01] Sharon shares how listeners can connect with her through Stand Up 2 Scams and learn more about Organised Deception. [51:37] A reminder that scam victims are not alone and that the shame belongs with the ruthless criminals who targeted them. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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The Recruitment Trap
08/05/2026
The Recruitment Trap
Everybody is searching for ways to increase income. Unfortunately, MLMs often look like an easy way to start a business without taking on the cost of a traditional company. The pitch sounds simple. Buy the product, follow the plan, and put in the work. The numbers behind those promises often tell a different story. Today’s guest, Stacie Bosley, has spent years studying what really happens inside MLMs. She is a professor at Hamline University in Minnesota and holds a Ph.D. in applied economics. Her research covers multi-level marketing, consumer protection, income claims, and pyramid scheme fraud. She has also served as an expert witness in cases involving the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. We talk about what separates an MLM from a pyramid scheme or a Ponzi scheme. Stacie explains why these opportunities attract smart and motivated people. We’ll learn about the role of recruitment including those hidden expenses and fake or misleading success stories. We also learn questions people should ask before investing their money and time in any business opportunity. Show Notes: [01:03] Stacey explains how her background in applied economics led to research on multi-level marketing, pyramid schemes, and income misrepresentation. [03:22] Early experiences in rural Wisconsin and changes in retail and internet commerce sparked an interest in how people pursue business opportunities. [05:07] Pyramid schemes rely on a pay-and-recruit structure that mathematically leaves most participants with losses. [08:57] Adding a legitimate product does not change the underlying structure when profits still depend primarily on recruitment. [10:33] Ponzi schemes generally use investment language, while pyramid schemes tie a participant’s compensation directly to recruiting others. [12:38] Products, demographics, religious communities, and other affinity groups can shape how MLM opportunities are marketed. [16:17] Reward-responsive people may be attracted to the recognition, status, and sense of competence these opportunities promise. [19:47] Anyone considering an MLM should define what they hope to gain and examine their realistic chances of reaching that goal. [22:53] The appeal of a turnkey “business in a box” can cause people to skip the research they would normally do before starting a business. [25:32] Earnings often look far worse after product purchases, training costs, conference fees, and other expenses are deducted. [28:13] Companies making income claims have a responsibility to explain what participants typically earn and spend. [31:02] Disclaimers such as “results not typical” do little to correct exaggerated success stories or earnings claims. [34:08] MLM losses can affect finances, relationships, social connections, and a participant’s sense of personal worth. [37:12] Limited time, money, and energy can be diverted into opportunities that fail to improve a family’s financial situation. [40:03] A company may be operating as an MLM regardless of its chosen label if participants earn from the activity of recruited sellers. [42:22] Important questions include the typical startup cost, ongoing expenses, earnings, profitability, and participant retention. [44:23] Claims that unsuccessful participants simply quit or failed to work hard can be used to dismiss troubling outcome data. [46:12] Encouraging sellers to recruit their own competitors conflicts with basic principles of supply and demand. [48:03] A large number of local sellers may be presented as community support even though it can indicate market saturation. [49:47] Resources such as Stacey’s TED Talk, Truth in Advertising, and her published research can help people investigate these opportunities. [50:59] A reminder to look beyond the sales pitch and ask what people actually earn after expenses. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Convincing Deepfakes
07/29/2026
Convincing Deepfakes
A familiar voice on the phone or a recognizable face on a video call used to offer some reassurance that you knew who you were dealing with. AI has changed that. Voice cloning, face swaps, and real-time video impersonation now allow scammers to convincingly pose as executives, job candidates, romantic interests, or even family members. Understanding how these attacks work and where they may be headed is a central part of Tom Cross’s work as Head of Threat Research at GetReal Security. Tom has spent more than 30 years studying cybersecurity threats, software vulnerabilities, and the methods attackers use to exploit technology. Before joining GetReal Security, he held leadership roles at IBM X-Force, Lancope, and Drawbridge Networks, and he has shared his research at major security conferences including Black Hat and DEF CON. His current work focuses on deepfake-enabled social engineering and the development of tools that can detect digital impersonation, including signs that are often too subtle for a person to recognize. In this episode, we learn how little audio is needed to clone someone’s voice, why live video is no longer reliable proof of identity, and how deepfakes are being used in romance scams, investment fraud, identity theft, and remote hiring schemes. We also talk about AI agents that can carry on persuasive conversations, adjust their behavior based on a victim’s reactions, and repeat those tactics on a massive scale. The discussion offers a revealing look at why familiar advice for spotting fakes is quickly becoming outdated and what individuals and organizations will need to do differently as the technology improves. Show Notes: [01:05] Tom shares how his early work in vulnerability research led to a career studying sophisticated cybersecurity threats. [03:32] Running a bulletin board system as a teenager helped spark an enduring interest in hacking and computer security. [06:11] A look back at early online communities, text-based games, Fidonet, and the pre-internet era. [09:36] The conversation shifts to deepfake research and the technology being developed to detect manipulated media. [11:29] Deepfakes are divided into audio, visual, file-based, and real-time forms, each creating different risks. [15:20] Modern voice clones can fool both people and biometric authentication systems, making specialized detection increasingly important. [18:30] Virtual backgrounds and other subtle processing artifacts may reveal manipulation even when nothing looks obviously wrong. [20:31] Deepfake detection has become another cybersecurity arms race as attackers continually improve their methods. [22:30] Romance scams, investment fraud, remote job schemes, and identity theft are among the growing uses of deepfake technology. [25:26] Scammers succeed by exploiting desires, expectations, and the human tendency to rationalize warning signs. [27:56] Large-scale phishing and business email compromise attacks only need a small percentage of targets to respond. [29:22] Criminal compounds in Southeast Asia use trafficked workers and deepfake tools to conduct scams on a massive scale. [30:27] North Korean remote workers may use stolen identities and shared deepfake personas to secure jobs at American companies. [33:45] Purpose-built criminal software combines face swapping with appearance-enhancing features designed for romance scams. [35:05] Common visual tests for identifying deepfakes are becoming unreliable as the technology advances. [39:24] Emotional investment makes detection even harder because people often explain away signs that something is wrong. [40:47] Building authentication into the internet could help people determine whether digital content is genuine. [42:13] AI agents may soon conduct automated scams that respond naturally, apply pressure, and adjust to a victim’s behavior. [45:14] Automation could allow criminals to target hundreds of thousands of people while making impersonation increasingly convincing. [46:22] Machine learning may create self-improving scams that test countless variations and concentrate on the tactics that work. [49:18] AI lowers the technical barrier to cybercrime by helping people create tools they could not build on their own. [51:06] Phones and messaging platforms may eventually require stronger controls as automated calls and texts become more common. [53:09] Digital signatures, watermarks, and verified content could help distinguish malicious deepfakes from authorized uses. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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When Trust Becomes a Trap
07/22/2026
When Trust Becomes a Trap
Most people use technology all day without giving much thought to what is happening behind the screen. We trust routers that may not have been updated in years, depend on internet systems few of us understand, and now turn to artificial intelligence for everything from travel plans to home repairs. That convenience comes with tradeoffs. In this episode, we look at the weaknesses built into our connected world and what happens when our technical knowledge fails to keep pace with the technology surrounding us. Sherrod DeGrippo leads threat intelligence for Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks, where she oversees teams working to identify and respond to increasingly complex cyber threats. During more than two decades in information security, she has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft and Proofpoint, along with positions at Nexum, Symantec, Secureworks, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Sherrod was named Cyber Security Woman of the Year in 2022 and regularly shares her expertise at industry conferences and through outlets including BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The New York Times. She is also the author of *Threat Driven Software Development: Defending Modern Online Services*. We discuss how outdated home routers become tools for criminal and nation-state attacks, what could happen as technical knowledge disappears, and why foundational internet systems may be more vulnerable than people realize. Sherrod also explains why the greatest danger from AI may not be a dramatic technological disaster, but the gradual loss of human connection as people choose frictionless answers over real conversations. Along the way, she shares practical examples of where AI genuinely helps, where its limits become obvious, and why slowing down still matters when emotion or urgency begins driving a decision. Show Notes: [01:48] Sherrod introduces herself and traces her 23-year career from government network security to threat intelligence. [03:00] An early lesson in buffer overflows sparked a lasting interest in both hacking and protecting systems. [05:10] Growing up around AT&T gave Sherrod firsthand experience with telephone networks, copper lines, and beige boxing. [08:17] Technology has shifted from something people opened and explored into consumer devices few people truly understand. [11:24] As technical knowledge disappears, the people who understand how systems actually work are becoming increasingly rare. [13:41] Older internet users often understood where their data traveled, while today’s devices constantly communicate in the background. [16:22] Network security remains critical because once malicious traffic reaches a device, the problem has already become much larger. [17:57] Outdated home routers provide an attractive attack surface for criminals and foreign governments. [20:12] The conversation turns to the fragility of DNS, internet protocols, and the systems supporting the global network. [22:13] Chris shares his experience with denial-of-service attacks and seeing legitimate online services exploited by malware. [25:48] Sherrod explains why AI’s greatest danger may be the gradual loss of human relationships rather than a dramatic physical threat. [29:23] AI works well for tedious tasks, but human connection, creativity, and judgment should not be handed over so easily. [31:35] Living intentionally means deciding what experiences matter instead of allowing technology or other outside forces to decide for us. [34:10] Frictionless technology may leave people more vulnerable to scams by training them to expect immediate and effortless results. [35:33] Social engineering uses modern tools, but manipulation, espionage, and theft have existed for thousands of years. [38:14] AI may eliminate certain jobs while also giving people more time to focus on customers, relationships, and other human-centered work. [40:44] A furnace repair shows how AI can guide basic troubleshooting and reduce the need for some professional diagnostic visits. [43:08] AI can help someone become competent in many areas, but having access to it does not make anyone an expert. [45:44] Used intentionally, AI can remove unwanted planning and create more opportunities for people to spend time together. [47:18] Strong prompts, detailed skill files, and personalized instructions may become more valuable than traditional prompt engineering. [49:10] A gift card scam demonstrates how fear and urgency can push someone to ignore repeated warnings from others. [51:30] Sherrod advises pausing whenever a strong emotion begins driving an unusual financial or personal decision. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Scam Compounds
07/15/2026
Scam Compounds
When most people think about online scams, they picture criminals sitting behind a screen and stealing from victims around the world. But in Southeast Asia, many of the people sending those messages are victims too. Some were promised legitimate jobs, flown across borders, trapped inside guarded compounds, and forced to scam others while trying to survive. In this episode, I talk with Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the Center for Contemporary Chinese Studies Asia Institute. After years of studying labor rights, civil society, and Chinese investment in Cambodia, Ivan’s work led him to the online scam industry and the cybercrime compounds that have spread across Southeast Asia. He is the co-author of Scam: Inside Southeast Asia’s Cybercrime Compounds, and through the EOS Collective, he and his colleagues also help support people who have been trafficked into these operations. I talk with Ivan about how small scam operations grew into large compounds, why COVID helped the industry expand, and how fake job offers are used to recruit people from around the world. We also talk about the blurred line between victim and criminal, the local economies that grow around these compounds, and what happens when people escape or are left stranded without money, documents, or a safe way home. Show Notes: [01:27] Ivan Franceschini explains how his academic background in China studies and labor rights eventually led him to research scam compounds in Southeast Asia. [04:39] Early scam operations in Cambodia started as smaller setups in villas, apartments, and hotels before expanding into large, organized compounds. [07:53] COVID becomes a major turning point as isolation, financial desperation, and new technology help the online scam industry grow rapidly. [10:42] The industry expands beyond Chinese-speaking networks and begins recruiting people from many countries, including large numbers from Africa. [13:29] Criminal groups, businesspeople, local elites, and trafficking networks all play different roles in keeping the scam compound industry running. [15:50] Fake job offers are used to recruit people from abroad, with many victims believing they are traveling for legitimate work in customer service, teaching, sales, or other fields. [18:19] Recruiters use believable salaries and convincing explanations to lure people who may be desperate for work or unfamiliar with the region. [21:43] Many trafficked workers are not highly trained scammers, but poor or vulnerable people who are taught scripts, given tools, and assigned small parts of the scam process. [24:05] Language barriers are no longer a major obstacle because scammers can use translation tools, AI tools, and backstories that make mistakes seem believable. [26:40] Scam compounds become embedded in local economies through guards, cleaners, restaurants, construction workers, delivery services, and other support jobs. [31:22] Getting out of a compound can involve paying a ransom, escaping physically, or risking a message to an embassy, family member, NGO, or government official. [33:40] Some trapped workers are able to ask for help online, but contacting authorities can also be dangerous if local police alert the compound operators. [35:17] Crackdowns in Cambodia have left many people stranded without money, valid visas, housing, or a safe way to return home. [37:27] Survivors released from compounds may end up sleeping on the street, begging for food, and trying to find help while facing fines and deportation barriers. [40:14] Survivor support often means meeting immediate needs such as food, basic medical care, and flights home for people who have nowhere else to turn. [41:29] Ivan explains that sanctions and enforcement need to consider the human beings inside the industry, not just the money and criminal networks behind it. [42:49] Survivors often have valuable information about trafficking networks, scam techniques, and specific operations, but that intelligence is lost when they are abandoned. [45:15] Verifying survivor stories requires interviews, embassy coordination, compound maps, cross-checking details, and recognizing that victim and criminal roles can overlap. [48:53] Ivan shares where people can find his book, Scam: Inside Southeast Asia’s Cybercrime Compounds, and learn more about the EOS Collective’s work. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Sports Betting
07/08/2026
Sports Betting
Sports betting is everywhere now. It is in the commercials, on the apps, wrapped into game broadcasts, and sold as a fun way to make sports more exciting. But behind the easy sign-ups and “risk-free” offers is an industry built on odds most people do not fully understand, fine print that can cost real money, and a business model that depends on customers losing. In this episode, I talk with Danny Funt, an investigative reporter and the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. His reporting on sports betting, politics, news, and sports media has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Columbia Journalism Review, and other publications. Through his work, Danny has taken a close look at how legal sports betting expanded so quickly in the United States and what that boom has meant for everyday customers. I talk with Danny about misleading promotions, why “risk-free” bets are not always what they sound like, and how betting apps encourage people to remember their wins while downplaying their losses. Danny also explains why the customers who actually win can be limited or pushed away, while big spenders who lose heavily may be rewarded with VIP perks and personal attention. This episode is a closer look at the gap between the fun, harmless image of sports betting and the way the industry really works. Show Notes: [01:20] Danny Funt introduces his work as an investigative reporter and explains how his book, Everybody Loses, examines the rapid rise of legal sports betting in America. [03:57] A “risk-free” betting promotion turns out to be much more complicated than it sounds, leaving customers with bonus bets instead of a simple refund. [05:25] The fine print behind bonus bets shows how customers can still lose real money, even when the offer is marketed as safe or risk-free. [07:26] Legal sports betting has grown from a Nevada-based industry into a massive national business, with billions wagered every year across dozens of states. [10:00] Easy access through phone apps, constant advertising, and in-game micro bets have changed how people engage with sports and gambling. [12:21] Sportsbooks often highlight customer wins while downplaying losses, creating a distorted picture of how much money people are actually losing. [15:59] Misleading promotions and advertising claims make betting look like a real way to profit from sports knowledge, even though very few people win long term. [20:03] Customers who show signs of being skilled or profitable can be restricted or limited, which contradicts the message that anyone can win. [21:51] The difference between prediction markets and sportsbooks helps explain why sportsbooks care so much about who wins and who loses. [26:24] VIP programs for high-spending customers go far beyond casino perks, offering exclusive sports experiences and personal attention to keep people betting. [28:19] Personal relationships between VIP hosts and customers can blur ethical lines, especially when big losers are treated like valued friends. [34:17] Unlike bars that are expected to cut off visibly drunk customers, sportsbooks often have no clear requirement to intervene when betting behavior becomes dangerous. [37:14] State lawmakers are beginning to consider tighter regulation, but tax revenue and industry lobbying make meaningful reform difficult. [41:24] Industry insiders acknowledge the tension between protecting customers and maximizing profits, with many suggesting real change will require legislation. [43:37] Professional bettors and industry critics are pushing back by warning people how difficult it really is to win and how risky the current betting culture has become. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Google Maps Scams
07/01/2026
Google Maps Scams
Most people are not thinking clearly when they need a locksmith or a plumber. They are locked out, water is leaking, something broke, and they just want somebody nearby who can fix it. So they open Google, tap one of the first businesses that comes up, and assume the listing is real. Unfortunately, that is exactly the kind of situation scammers count on. In this episode, Mike Blumenthal, co-founder and analyst at Near Media, talks about fake local business listings and the ways bad actors have learned to game Google Maps. Mike has been following this problem for years, going back to the early days of map spam, when locksmiths were creating fake listings all over major cities. We learn how listings can look legitimate with complete addresses, phone numbers, and reviews without actually existing. We also talk about what regular people can actually do about it. Mike explains why it helps to keep a short list of trusted local businesses before an emergency happens, and what to watch for if you do have to search online at the moment. A generic phone greeting, mismatched company names, fake-looking reviews, or an unmarked truck can all be warning signs. Show Notes: [1:08] Mike Blumenthal shares how losing his family business led him into SEO, local search, and eventually years of work focused on Google Maps and local digital marketing. [3:47] Early Google Maps abuse showed up in a big way when locksmiths created thousands of fake listings across Manhattan to capture emergency service calls. [6:28] Fake listings can work especially well on mobile because Google’s local results often favor businesses that appear to be physically close to the person searching. [9:13] Map spam creates real harm for legitimate businesses and consumers, including in a recent plumbing case tied to millions of dollars in alleged consumer losses. [12:04] Consumers can protect themselves by checking more than one platform, looking for consistent branding, and being cautious when hiring emergency service providers. [15:22] Reports can be made to Google, the FTC, or state attorneys general, but fake listing problems are not always fixed quickly or easily. [18:46] The Premier Plumbing case shows how troubling the problem still is, with thousands of fake listings allegedly created despite years of known abuse in local search. [21:37] Real local businesses should not depend entirely on Google and need to build direct customer relationships through email, text, repeat service, and trust. [24:42] Small customer service details, from professional arrival to respecting someone’s home, can make a major difference in whether people trust and recommend a business. [28:04] Pressure-based reviews can mislead consumers, especially when customers feel pushed to leave positive feedback or mention specific employees by name. [31:24] Review volume alone does not prove a business is trustworthy because reviews can be fake, pressured, incentivized, or difficult to judge at a glance. [33:19] Stressful emergencies make people more vulnerable to scams because they are trying to solve an urgent problem quickly and may not stop to verify the business. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Job Recruiter Scams
06/24/2026
Job Recruiter Scams
Job hunting is hard enough without having to stop and ask whether the recruiter in your inbox is even real. My guest today, Jay Jones, ran into that problem firsthand after being laid off in December 2023. With his daughter due to be born just weeks later, Jay began receiving messages from recruiters that looked promising at first, but quickly turned out to be fake. Jay, also known as The Profiler, decided not to ignore what was happening. He started investigating the patterns behind these scams and has since identified and helped remove thousands of fake profiles, fraudulent companies, and deceptive job postings from LinkedIn. His work now helps job seekers, businesses, and executives understand how fake recruiters operate and how much damage these scams can do. In this episode, we discuss how fake recruiting scams work, why public resumes and the “Open to Work” banner can make job seekers easier targets, and what red flags to watch for before responding. We also talk about fake background checks, resume-writing scams, equipment-check schemes, one-way interview risks, fake applicants, and practical ways to verify opportunities before sharing personal information. Show Notes: [0055] Jay Jones introduces his work as The Profiler and explains how he helps companies and job seekers protect themselves from fake recruiters, fake jobs, impersonation, and online risk. [01:23] Jay shares how being laid off in December 2023 led him to LinkedIn, where he quickly realized many of the recruiters contacting him were not real. [02:20] Fake recruiters often outnumber legitimate outreach because scam operations have dedicated teams sending generic messages around the clock. [03:23] The goal behind many fake recruiter messages is to collect personal data, steal money, or gather enough information to impersonate someone. [06:00] Scammers layer different tactics together, including fake background checks, resume-writing referrals, equipment-check scams, and fraudulent vendors. [07:40] The “Open to Work” banner can make job seekers easier targets because it signals vulnerability and invites unsolicited outreach. [08:36] Checking your inbox can quickly expose a fake recruiter who claims to have received an application you never actually submitted. [10:16] Job seekers need to stay vigilant by treating each opportunity as potentially risky until they can verify the recruiter, company, and posting. [11:06] Red flags include minimal connections, no company-related posts, no digital footprint, and recruiter profiles that only seem to exist on LinkedIn. [12:01] Email domains matter, especially when someone claims to work for a major company but contacts you from Gmail, Outlook, AOL, or another unrelated address. [13:26] Scam operations can involve people and organizations across multiple countries, with different levels of sophistication depending on the type of scheme. [14:44] Legitimate recruiters are paid by companies to find candidates, not by job seekers through resume-writing side businesses or upfront fees. [16:09] Engagement pods and fake online credibility can make scammers look more legitimate than they are by inflating likes, comments, and followers. [17:16] Fake job postings often include copied descriptions, formatting errors, unrealistic salaries, conflicting remote-work details, or buried instructions to email outside the platform. [18:42] Requests for credit checks or background checks before an interview or offer are major warning signs, even though some legitimate jobs may require checks later in the process. [19:21] Fake interviews can be used to collect personal information, record a candidate’s face or voice, or gather intelligence about a previous employer. [20:53] Fake job offers often move unusually fast, rely only on email or chat, and may include equipment-check schemes designed to steal money and card information. [22:14] Asking detailed questions about benefits, recent hires, or company procedures can disrupt scammers because they often rely on prepared scripts. [23:36] Companies also face fake applicants, especially in technical and engineering roles where scammers may be trying to gain access to systems or data. [25:13] Anyone who has shared sensitive information with a fake employer should freeze their credit, set up alerts, and consider whether their phone number or personal data has been compromised. [26:18] Using a dedicated job-search email and a separate phone number can create a safer barrier between recruiting activity and personal information. [27:17] Jay describes why he began reporting fake profiles and job postings, and why he expected platforms to take the problem more seriously. [29:25] Jay discusses his ongoing friction with LinkedIn over fake job postings, scraped positions, and shell operations that insert themselves into the application process. [31:33] Jay shares his own experience with identity theft after discovering that a credit card had been opened in his name when he was young. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Bail Bonds Scams
06/17/2026
Bail Bonds Scams
Getting a call that someone you love has been arrested is scary enough. Getting that call from someone who sounds official, knows just enough to seem credible, and says you have to send money right away is exactly the kind of moment scammers are counting on. Julie Henderson is the president of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association and has spent 24 years working in the bail bond industry. She started in the field almost by accident after applying for what she thought was a legislative assistant job, and she has stayed because she cares about helping people get through one of the most stressful situations a family can face. In this episode, Julie explains what is really happening with bail bond scams, how scammers are finding people so quickly, and why these calls can feel so convincing. We also learn what a legitimate bail process should look like, what families can do to verify whether someone is actually in jail, and why no one should be rushed into sending gift cards or app payments. She also shares simple ways to prepare before something happens, including using a family password and knowing where to report a scam if one of these calls comes in. Show Notes: [01:51] Julie Henderson explains what bail bondsmen do, how the process works in North Carolina, and why a bondsman’s job is to help ensure clients return to court. [04:00] Bail bond scams have increased sharply, with scammers often targeting people who recently had contact with law enforcement. [07:16] Common scam tactics include fake ankle monitor fees, gift card demands, urgent threats, and claims that someone will be moved into a dangerous part of the jail. [10:55] Legitimate bail agents should answer questions calmly, provide ways to verify the situation, and allow families time to make decisions. [13:51] Fake case numbers, badge numbers, and license numbers can sound convincing, so independent verification is essential. [16:09] Taking five or ten minutes to verify the facts will rarely affect whether someone can be released. [18:15] Public jail records, apps, and online information may help scammers find arrest details quickly. [21:42] Bail bond scams are likely underreported because victims may feel embarrassed or believe nothing will be done. [23:30] A personal family scam story shows how realistic and emotionally convincing these calls can be. [26:53] Education, patience, and clearer communication can help families recognize scams before they send money. [29:45] Scam reports should go to the FBI, Internet Crime Complaint Center, state attorneys general, and any agency being impersonated. [32:47] Legitimate payment methods vary, but pressure to send gift cards, Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal should raise immediate red flags. [35:00] Advice includes trusting your gut, slowing down, and verifying the situation before handing over money. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Confessions of a Fraudster
06/10/2026
Confessions of a Fraudster
Technology keeps changing, but many of the most effective scams still come down to something very human: trust. My guest today is Tony Sales, co-founder of We Fight Fincrime and Underworld TV. Tony has a perspective most people in fraud prevention will never have. Earlier in his life, he was involved in organized financial crime and was once described in the UK press as Britain’s greatest fraudster. After years in that world, and after serving time in prison, Tony made the decision to use what he knew to help stop the very crimes he had once been part of. Today, Tony works with financial institutions, governments, law enforcement, and major organizations to help them better understand fraud, social engineering, money laundering, and cybercrime. In this conversation, he explains why criminals are often so effective at exploiting human behavior, why security training can miss the real-world ways scams unfold, and why friction is not always a bad thing when it helps protect people from devastating losses. We also talk about the role of leaked data, call center scams, deepfakes, banking safeguards, and why consumers and organizations both need to think differently about fraud prevention. Tony’s message is direct: criminals adapt quickly, and if we want to defend against them, we need to understand how they think. Show Notes: [01:25] Tony Sales shares his background as a former UK fraudster and explains how he now works through We Fight Fincrime to help people understand money laundering, online safety, and human vulnerability. [03:04] Tony describes being drawn into crime as a child, beginning with small thefts before gradually moving into sponsorship scams, credit card fraud, and cloned debit cards. [06:10] After getting caught for identity theft and spending years as a fugitive, Tony explains how prison and seeing the impact on his family became a turning point in his life. [08:35] How organized crime operates like a business, with different people handling IDs, fraud schemes, fake watches, mortgage fraud, and professional connections. [11:40] Why criminal networks rely on trusted introductions, insulation, and layers of separation to protect the people at the top. [14:30] Tony explains how criminals adapt in the moment, use confidence to avoid suspicion, and often rely on talking their way out of situations instead of escalating them. [18:20] The difference between how criminals and security professionals think, including why criminals are not limited by the same rules, checklists, or assumptions. [21:35] Tony discusses how childhood experiences, ADHD, and a lack of structure contributed to the way he viewed rules and boundaries. [24:00] Social engineering is not always dramatic or technical; Tony explains how believable stories, ordinary behavior, and quick adaptation can be more effective than elaborate tactics. [26:45] How call center scams combine scripts with salesmanship, emotional pressure, and real-time responses to keep victims engaged. [29:33] Tony explains why leaked data remains valuable for criminals and how even a name and phone number can be enough to build a convincing attack. [31:43] The conversation turns to personal and organizational protection, including Tony’s belief that people need to “patch” the human operating system. [34:20] Why fraud awareness training often fails when it is boring, generic, or disconnected from people’s everyday consumer lives. [36:16] An example of a bank adding friction to an international wire transfer, and Tony explains why friction can protect people from major losses. [38:30] Tony discusses the tension between fast, frictionless transactions and stronger safeguards that may slow people down but reduce fraud risk. [41:03] AI, deepfakes, and impersonation scams raise new challenges, but Tony emphasizes the importance of live verification and using common sense. [43:24] What consumers should understand about bank security, shared responsibility, and why no system can remove every risk. [46:00] Everyday data requests, such as hotels asking for passport copies, can create long-term privacy and fraud risks if that information is mishandled. [47:48] Tony discusses online safety, young people, and why banning access to social media may create new vulnerabilities instead of solving the underlying problem. [50:15] Why learning from former criminals, hackers, and people who understand real-world attacks can help organizations defend themselves more effectively. [52:30] Tony explains why companies need more security talent, stronger resources, and boards that understand the scale of modern fraud and cybercrime threats. [54:32] Tony shares where listeners can find him online and learn more about We Fight Fincrime. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Personal Safety
06/03/2026
Personal Safety
Scams and safety threats don’t always announce themselves. Sometimes they start quietly, with a moment of distraction, a strange feeling you ignore, or a situation that shifts just enough to test whether you’re paying attention. My guest today is S. Gale Bleth, a personal safety educator, certified RAD self-defense instructor, speaker, and author of Aware: A Personal Safety Playbook for Leaving the Nest. Gale brings a deep background in crime prevention and safety education, including 16 years at Cal State East Bay and 16 years as a crime prevention specialist with the Hayward Police Department. Personal safety is not about walking around scared or suspicious of everyone. It is about giving yourself a few simple habits to fall back on when something feels off, so you can pause, read the situation, and decide what to do next. We talk about Gale’s AWARE method, the idea that most safety starts with education, and the small choices that can matter more than people realize: putting the phone away in a parking lot, noticing exits when you walk into a building, and trusting that uneasy feeling instead of brushing it off. Gale also explains what makes someone a useful witness, why details matter, and how awareness can help without turning everyday life into something fearful. Show Notes: [01:00] S. Gale Bleth shares how her career began in higher education, where she worked with student organizations, supported campus events, and discovered her interest in teaching and training. [03:10] A campus safety role led to RAD self-defense training, which eventually became a major part of Gale’s work and helped shape her approach to personal safety education. [05:28] How children’s safety training has evolved, including the continued importance of stranger awareness and helping kids recognize uncomfortable touch. [07:00] The meaning behind Gale’s AWARE method: Alert, Watch, Assess, Respond, and Escape. [09:36] A practical example of how the AWARE method can help someone assess risk in a social setting and decide whether to stay or leave. [13:10] Why people need to trust the feeling that something is off instead of dismissing their instincts or ignoring their surroundings. [15:00] Cooper’s color code of awareness explains the difference between being unaware, casually alert, actively concerned, and forced to respond in danger. [18:00] Education plays a major role in personal safety because it helps people avoid freezing or panicking when something unexpected happens. [19:45] The importance of knowing escape routes in public places, especially at concerts, restaurants, theaters, and other crowded locations. [22:13] What it looks like when someone’s behavior does not match the setting, and why that can be a signal to pay closer attention. [24:30] How to balance awareness with basic kindness when interacting with people who may seem unstable, angry, or unpredictable. [27:58] Confident body language, voice, and boundaries can help people protect themselves before a situation escalates physically. [28:33] Why phones create vulnerability in parking garages, airports, travel settings, and other places where attention matters. [31:45] The AWARE method can become an everyday safety habit that helps people notice, assess, and respond with more confidence. [33:01] Being a good witness can be more helpful than trying to be a hero, especially when law enforcement needs clear details. [35:10] Gale explains how to practice observing people, vehicles, direction of travel, clothing, and other details before an emergency happens. [37:20] Specific details such as tattoos, accents, clothing, weapons, or which direction someone ran can make a witness report much more useful. [39:34] Vehicle descriptions, license plates, cameras, and direction of flight can all help investigators connect important pieces of information. [42:33] Gale shares where listeners can find her online and learn more about Aware: A Personal Safety Playbook for Leaving the Nest. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Data For Sale
05/27/2026
Data For Sale
Everyday conveniences ask for tiny pieces of information all the time like a phone number at checkout, a zip code at the register, an email address for a receipt, or a loyalty account for a small discount. At the moment, it can feel harmless. But those small details can add up quickly, creating a personal profile that businesses, data brokers, scammers, and even people with bad intentions can use in ways most of us never agreed to or fully understood. My guest today is Ron Zayas, CEO of Ironwall by Incogni. Ron is an online privacy expert, speaker, and author who has helped the judiciary, law enforcement, and public agencies protect personnel by removing personal data from online sources. Since founding the company in 2011, the proactive strategies he developed have helped protect thousands of at-risk professionals, including judges, police officers, public officials, executives, and others who face real-world threats when their private information is exposed. We talk about why your mobile number has become one of the most valuable identifiers companies can collect, how everyday purchases can reveal more than you think, and why scammers are often looking for the easiest target rather than the hardest one. Ron also shares practical ways to reduce your exposure, from questioning why a business needs your information to using aliases, opting out of data sharing, and removing personal details from online databases. The goal is not to vanish from the world, but to make yourself harder to find, harder to profile, and harder to exploit. Show Notes: [01:12] Ron Zayas explains how Ironwall by Incogni protects the privacy of individuals ranging from Supreme Court justices and police officers to corporate executives and everyday consumers. [04:18] How even a simple pizza order can reveal patterns about a person’s life, including family structure, work schedule, and daily routines. [07:43] We talk about how selling personal data became its own revenue stream, sometimes making customer information more profitable than the original product or service. [10:41] Practical privacy habits come into focus, including removing registration cards from cars, questioning why businesses need certain information, and refusing to provide details that are not necessary. [13:17] A real-world scam example shows how urgency, voice recordings, and personal details gathered from social media can quickly override someone’s judgment. [16:24] We discuss email aliases and phone aliases as tools for limiting exposure and tracking which companies may be sharing or selling personal information. [19:28] How personal data can become dangerous beyond marketing, especially when sensitive purchase patterns or location information can be tied to legal, medical, or personal risks. [22:19] How GPS data can be filtered by home and work locations to reveal a person’s daily route, stops, habits, and family routines. [25:39] The data broker industry is described as a massive business, with profiles that can contain thousands of data points about a single person. [28:42] We talk about how privacy habits become easier with practice and why reducing the amount of available information makes someone a harder target. [31:17] How much effort people should realistically expect to put into protecting their information, starting with prevention and asking how little information a company actually needs. [34:13] Practical ways to reduce transaction tracking include using chip cards, virtual credit card numbers, deletion requests, and opt-out forms from financial institutions. [37:28] The conversation shifts to Ironwall’s higher-risk work protecting people who may face physical danger, including judges, police officers, elected officials, executives, and domestic violence victims. [40:09] The difference between Incogni and Ironwall becomes clear, with Incogni focused on consumer privacy concerns and Ironwall focused on people who need stronger protection from real-world threats. [42:17] We talk about “suckers lists” and how people who have already been scammed may become targets for recovery scams and follow-up fraud. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Exploiting Psychology
05/20/2026
Exploiting Psychology
Scams are often explained as a failure of judgment, but the truth is far more human. People are not fooled because they are foolish. They are manipulated at the exact moment emotion overrides logic, whether that emotion is fear, loneliness, hope, urgency, financial stress, or the desire to believe something better is finally possible. My guest today is Dr. John Demartini, one of the world’s leading authorities on human behavior, perception, resilience, and personal development. For more than five decades, he has researched, written, and taught in the fields of human awareness and potential. He is the founder of the Demartini Method, a structured process used around the world by clinicians, coaches, and individuals to help dissolve emotional trauma, restore clarity, and support better decision-making. He is also the author of more than 40 books, has spoken in over 100 countries, and has worked with tens of thousands of people navigating everything from personal crises to high performance. Dr. Demartini explains why scammers are so effective at exploiting emotional blind spots, especially when someone is dealing with loss or uncertainty. We talk about what happens in the brain when a person reacts before they think, why “too good to be true” offers can feel so convincing in the moment, and how people can recover after being deceived without turning shame into part of their identity. Show Notes: [02:09] Dr. John Demartini shares how a childhood learning challenge, speech impediment, and a powerful encounter with a teacher in Hawaii shaped his lifelong work in human behavior and potential. [03:08] Scams, fraud, and the emotional impact these experiences have on people beyond the mechanics of how money moves. [04:31] Why scammers exploit emotions like fear, loneliness, urgency, hope, greed, trust, authority, and compassion to push people into reactive decisions. [07:30] We learn how pain points and pleasure points make people vulnerable, especially when scammers know how to present relief, reward, or escape in the exact area where someone feels exposed. [08:22] Dr. Demartini shares a story about his son being targeted by a money-making scam and how he quickly recognized the promise of turning $2,000 into $20,000 as a classic red flag. [10:32] The difference between emotional, fast-response thinking and more objective thinking, and why “too good to be true” offers should immediately trigger caution. [11:56] Why one-sided promises are dangerous, whether they are built around fantasy, fear, or a claim that reward comes without risk. [13:09] Dr. Demartini explains why people going through major transitions, loss, financial pain, or relationship struggles are often targeted by scammers. [14:50] Money, investing, and why excitement can be a warning sign when someone is being pushed toward a financial decision. [16:40] How scams often succeed when people believe they can get a reward without an equal risk. [18:00] The aftermath of scams and how people can avoid letting one painful experience become part of their identity. [19:04] A story about a man who lost hundreds of millions of dollars and began to see the hidden gains, lessons, and protections that came from the loss. [22:55] How asking better questions can help someone reframe a painful experience and move from feeling like a victim of history to becoming more intentional about the future. [24:40] Romance scams and the difficult moment when victims realize they may not only struggle to trust others, but also struggle to trust themselves. [25:49] How people can rebuild self-trust by examining what the experience taught them instead of staying stuck in shame or self-blame. [27:28] We discuss prevention, including how to listen to the inner warning voice when something feels emotionally extreme or too perfectly one-sided. [29:25] Examples of recognizing suspicious behavior and using direct questions to disrupt situations where someone may be trying to manipulate or exploit him. [31:10] We hear about a seminar speaker making unrealistic promises about fast wealth and bestseller success, and why that kind of highly polished fantasy can pull people in. [33:15] The value of having trusted people as sounding boards, especially when emotions make it harder to see a decision clearly. [34:11] How people around us often see what we miss and why asking others for input can reduce the risk of acting impulsively. [35:44] Why trust should be based on understanding what someone is truly dedicated to, not on expecting them to share our values or fantasies. [38:22] How identifying your highest values can make you less vulnerable to manipulation and more grounded in your decisions. [39:23] The value determination process, including the questions that reveal how people actually spend their time, energy, money, attention, and emotional focus. [41:43] Advice for people who have been scammed, encouraging them to see the experience as a revealed blind spot rather than a permanent source of shame. [43:07] A reminder that sharing a painful experience can help others feel less alone and may prevent someone else from falling into the same trap. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Investment Traps
05/13/2026
Investment Traps
Investment losses can be confusing because they do not always tell the whole story. Sometimes money is lost because the market has changed. Other times, an investor was sold something they did not understand, pushed into a product that was never appropriate, or denied the information they needed to make a real decision. Courtney Werning has built her career in that space, helping investors sort through what happened and whether someone can be held responsible. Courtney is a named partner at Meyer, Wilson, and Werning, a national investor protection firm that has recovered more than $350 million since 1999. She leads the firm’s crypto investment fraud practice through CryptoCourt, serves on FINRA’s National Arbitration and Mediation Committee, and is the incoming PIABA president. In this conversation, she explains the difference between a bad investment, misrepresentation, misconduct, Ponzi schemes, and the newer wave of crypto fraud that has become especially devastating for older investors. We also talk about the warning signs people often miss, from guaranteed returns and “secret” opportunities to unsolicited messages on social media, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Courtney shares why trusted contacts on brokerage accounts matter, how recovery scams target people who have already been defrauded, and why it is so important to verify lawyers, financial advisors, and investment opportunities before sending money anywhere. Show Notes: [00:57] Courtney Werning explains how she became an investor protection attorney and why representing regular investors against large Wall Street institutions has been such meaningful work. [03:29] Investment losses do not always mean misconduct occurred, but Courtney explains how negligence, misrepresentation, unsuitable recommendations, and outright fraud can create valid claims. [05:25] Misrepresentation often happens when investors are not given the material facts they need to understand risks, fees, liquidity issues, or the potential loss of principal. [07:19] Many investors don’t know what they were missing until after a product fails and an attorney reviews what should have been disclosed. [09:22] Ponzi schemes continue to appear in many forms, using new investor money to pay earlier investors until the scheme eventually collapses. [12:01] Scammers build confidence by showing early returns, encouraging victims to invest more, and making the opportunity feel safe before the larger loss occurs. [14:44] Cryptocurrency fraud losses have climbed sharply, and Courtney explains why the reported numbers likely represent only part of the true scale. [17:03] Repeated scam playbooks, fake insider connections, AI tools, voice replication, and polished platforms make crypto fraud increasingly difficult to recognize. [19:54] A trusted contact on a brokerage account can give firms a way to alert someone the investor trusts when unusual activity or possible exploitation appears. [22:27] Trusted contacts work more like emergency contacts than account controllers, helping preserve independence while adding a layer of protection. [24:35] Once someone realizes they may have been defrauded, the first steps are shutting down the account, contacting law enforcement, and getting legal guidance. [27:29] Even if months or years have passed, some losses may still be recoverable, though quick reporting gives law enforcement the best chance of stopping funds. [30:06] Recovery scams prey on people who are already panicked, promising to trace or retrieve stolen crypto in exchange for more money. [31:29] Courtney shares the devastating case of a Modesto man who lost millions in a pig butchering scam and was later pressured with fake insider trading threats. [34:11] A trusted contact was listed on the victim’s account, and Courtney believes a brief phone call to his wife could have prevented both the financial loss and the tragedy that followed. [36:39] Investor recovery cases are often handled on contingency, which means firms must evaluate whether litigation can realistically benefit the client. [39:12] Because the firm is selective about the cases it takes, Courtney says clients offered representation can usually feel confident there is a strong case. [40:18] Unsolicited messages on social media, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram, or X should be treated with extreme skepticism, especially when investment opportunities are involved. [42:25] Hacked social media accounts can make scams appear to come from trusted local figures, friends, or family members. [44:06] Secret or exclusive investment opportunities that cannot be discussed openly are major red flags, especially if someone coaches the investor on what to say. [45:06] Courtney explains how to contact her firm, verify that an attorney is real through a state bar search, and check financial professionals through FINRA BrokerCheck. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Elder Exploitation
05/06/2026
Elder Exploitation
Aging parents often rely on the people closest to them for help, but what happens when that help becomes a way to take control? For Charles Wallace, the warning signs started small. His mother’s fridge was suddenly overfilled. A caregiver refused to provide receipts. Spending patterns began to shift in ways that did not make sense. At the time, each concern could be explained away. Looking back, they were part of something much larger. Charles spent 15 years in banking and finance, and after his mother’s death, he used that experience to reconstruct more than 3,000 transactions. What he found was a devastating pattern of elder financial abuse involving a professional caregiver, nearly a million dollars in losses, missing belongings, questionable legal changes, and systems that failed to respond when the red flags were already there. This conversation is both personal and practical. Charles shares the story behind his book, The Caregiver’s Game, while also explaining what families can do differently when hiring caregivers, monitoring finances, protecting valuables, and watching for subtle signs of manipulation. It is a difficult story, but an important one for anyone with aging parents, vulnerable relatives, or concerns about how easily trust can be weaponized. Show Notes: [01:06] Charles Wallace explains how his background in IT, project management, banking, healthcare, and application development later shaped the way he investigated his mother’s case. [04:23] A neurology appointment became a turning point when the caregiver observed the cognitive testing and likely understood the seriousness of the results. [07:18] After his mother’s death, the family learned about a new will and an annuity that could have paid the caregiver roughly half a million dollars. [10:31] Looking back, Charles reflects on trusting the broker, CPA, and other professionals to watch out for his mother, not realizing how much could still slip through. [12:49] Credit card activity told a larger story, with spending spreading across the county in ways that did not match his mother’s habits. [15:05] Over three years, the caregiver billed for 24-hour care, seven days a week, despite having no credentials. [18:22] Once the bank and credit card statements were finally available, the changes in spending habits were obvious. [21:38] The conversation turns to how banks, CPAs, and families might better monitor accounts by looking beyond total spending and watching detailed patterns. [24:52] Hiring a caregiver outside an agency is identified as a major risk factor, especially when the caregiver is unlicensed and approaches the older adult directly. [28:42] After the annuity payout was blocked, later emails and property activity left Charles with unresolved questions about what really happened next. [31:48] Families can reduce risk by hiring caregivers through an agency and making sure they retain the authority to hire and fire. [34:47] Removing valuables, keeping a mental inventory, and noticing when belongings disappear can help families catch problems sooner. [37:46] Charles points to possible improvements such as caregiver registries, fingerprinting, and stronger systems to protect older adults from financial exploitation. [38:26] The Caregiver’s Game offers a forensic look at elder financial abuse and the daily warning signs families may miss until it is too late. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Art Heists
04/29/2026
Art Heists
The world of art theft looks glamorous in the movies, but the reality is far more complicated. From multi-million dollar forgery schemes to undercover FBI operations recovering stolen national treasures, art crime is a global industry hiding in plain sight. This conversation digs into how these crimes actually play out and why the people who pull them off often end up stuck with the very pieces they thought would make them rich. My guest today is Robert Wittman, a former FBI special agent and the founder of the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Over a 20-year career, he worked undercover in more than 20 countries and helped recover over $300 million in stolen art and cultural property. He’s also the author of Priceless, where he shares stories from those investigations and what really goes on behind the scenes. We discuss the movie version of art crime and how it actually works. Whitman explains why most stolen masterpieces are nearly impossible to sell, how insider access plays a role in many museum thefts, and why forgery and fraud now make up the bulk of the market. There’s also a practical side to it. Whether it’s fine art, prints, or even sports memorabilia, the same patterns show up again and again. People trust the wrong details, skip the research, and get pulled in by what feels like a deal. The takeaway is pretty straightforward. Slow down, check what you’re buying, and don’t assume something is real just because the story sounds convincing. Show Notes: [01:06] Robert Wittman introduces his FBI career and explains how he founded the Art Crime Team, leading investigations across 20 countries and recovering over $300 million in stolen art. [04:01] He shares how he ended up in art crime almost by accident, getting assigned museum theft cases early in his career when no one else wanted them. [07:00] We get a breakdown of the art crime industry, including how much of it is driven by forgery and fraud versus outright theft. [10:00] Whitman explains why stolen high-value artwork is extremely difficult to sell and often becomes a liability for the criminals who take it. [13:43] A reality check on museum security, comparing Hollywood portrayals to how thefts actually happen in the U.S. and abroad. [16:18] The conversation shifts to jewelry theft and why stolen gems are far easier to break down and resell than famous works of art. [19:19] He walks through a major forgery case involving a well-known New York gallery that unknowingly sold millions of dollars in fake paintings. [22:55] Practical advice for everyday buyers on how to avoid getting scammed when purchasing art or collectibles online. [26:34] One of the most fascinating recoveries: an original copy of the Bill of Rights stolen in the 1800s and tracked down over a century later. [30:20] A much smaller but equally interesting case involving ancient cylinder seals and how they were unknowingly brought back from Iraq. [32:30] The risks in the sports memorabilia market, including widespread forgery and why authentication matters more than ever. [35:37] Final advice on protecting yourself as both a buyer and seller by doing basic research and understanding the true value of what you have. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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The Power of Prediction
04/22/2026
The Power of Prediction
We make predictions all the time including about the weather, about traffic, about what someone is going to say next. It feels natural, even rational. But when algorithms start making predictions about us, whether we'll repay a loan, reoffend after prison, or respond to a medical treatment, something fundamental shifts. The forecast stops being a guess and starts becoming a verdict. My guest today is Carissa Veliz, a philosopher and associate professor at the University of Oxford, where she also researches at the Oxford Internet Institute. Her work focuses on the ethics of technology, privacy, and artificial intelligence, and she advises companies and governments around the world on these issues. She's the author of the widely acclaimed book Privacy is Power, The Ethics of Privacy and Surveillance, and her new book, Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI, is out now. We talk about how the role of prophet has simply changed costumes throughout history from oracles and astrologers to economists and now tech executives and why that matters more than most people realize. Carissa explains how predictions about human beings are fundamentally different from predictions about the weather, why so many AI-driven forecasts are closer to commands than hypotheses, and what it actually looks like to take back your agency in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. Show Notes: [01:13] Carissa Veliz shares her background in philosophy, ethics, and advising companies and governments on technology and data. [02:35] She explains how prediction has existed throughout human history, from survival instincts to ancient prophecy. [03:49] The role of “prophets” evolves over time—from oracles and astrologers to economists, data scientists, and tech leaders. [07:05] Predictions about people differ from predictions about nature because they can influence outcomes and become self-fulfilling. [07:55] Many modern predictions, especially from tech leaders, function more like commands than neutral observations. [10:13] Carissa outlines key questions to ask when evaluating any prediction, including who benefits if it comes true. [10:13] She argues society has been overly naive about predictions, often mistaking power plays for objective knowledge. [14:18] AI systems are designed to please users, which can conflict with truth-seeking and scientific rigor. [14:54] Growing superstitions around AI include attributing agency, intention, or even spirituality to algorithms. [15:47] People begin trying to “please the algorithm,” creating a modern version of superstition in digital systems. [19:55] The lack of regulation in AI places the burden of understanding risks entirely on individuals. [19:55] Carissa argues the real issue isn’t just bias, but whether predictions about people should be used at all. [24:49] Insurance shifts from pooling risk across populations to targeting individuals, increasing inequality and personal burden. [27:02] Self-fulfilling prophecies in medicine and decision-making can hide their own failures by erasing alternative outcomes. [30:25] Predictive systems risk limiting human potential by filtering out those who don’t fit expected patterns. [30:25] Society thrives when individuals can defy expectations, something prediction-heavy systems may suppress. [35:21] Algorithms reduce exposure to randomness, while real-world interactions create unexpected opportunities and insight. [36:11] Over-reliance on AI can replace human relationships and narrow life experiences. [36:11] Carissa reframes uncertainty as a positive force that enables freedom, choice, and democratic possibility. [36:11] She encourages treating predictions as possibilities to question—not instructions to follow. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Privacy vs Reality
04/15/2026
Privacy vs Reality
Online security advice often sounds simple until you actually try to follow it. Between password managers, privacy settings, and data brokers, protecting yourself can start to feel like a full-time job. That gap between what sounds easy and what’s actually realistic is where a lot of people get stuck. My guest today is Yael Grauer, a freelance investigative technology reporter who covers privacy, security, digital freedom, hacking, and mass surveillance. She also works as a program manager of cybersecurity research at Consumer Reports, where she manages Security Planner, a free resource that provides customized guidance to help people stay safe online. We discuss what actually matters when it comes to protecting yourself, why so much of the responsibility ends up on individuals, and how to approach security in a way that’s realistic. She explains where the biggest risks tend to come from, what people often overlook, and how to make practical decisions without turning it into something that takes over your time. Show Notes: [01:02] Yael explains her role at Consumer Reports and how she moved from investigative reporting into security and privacy work. [04:26] Long lists of security steps can overwhelm people, often leading to inaction. [06:52] Real progress requires pressure on companies and policymakers, not just individuals. [09:41] Security advice quickly becomes outdated as platforms and settings constantly change. [12:34] App permissions and privacy settings are often confusing and inconsistent across platforms. [16:30] Panic and stress can make even simple security decisions harder in the moment. [19:50] A practical approach is focusing on the risks most likely to affect you first. [20:19] Media and pop culture create unrealistic expectations about hacking and surveillance. [25:22] Yael shares personal examples of falling for phishing attempts despite her expertise. [27:30] Timing and context can make anyone vulnerable, even those who understand the risks. [30:00] The way you pay matters, with credit cards offering better protection in many cases. [33:24] Social media platforms often fail to respond effectively to compromised accounts. [36:27] Concerns about surveillance often center on location tracking and shared data. [39:38] Tools meant for serious crimes can gradually be used for less critical enforcement. [43:15] Clear, readable privacy policies help people make informed decisions about their data. [45:08] Privacy isn’t gone, but maintaining it requires ongoing effort and awareness. [47:20] Data broker opt-out tools show progress, though they don’t fully solve the problem. [52:00] Different state laws create inconsistent protections and added complexity. [55:13] Final advice focuses on taking small, practical steps instead of trying to do everything at once. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Wired to Trust
04/08/2026
Wired to Trust
It’s easy to think scams only work when someone misses something obvious. In reality, most of them don’t look obvious at the start. They show up as normal situations with just enough friction to notice, but not enough to stop. That small gap is where people tend to move forward instead of stepping back. My guest today is Tali Sharot, a cognitive neuroscientist who studies how we form beliefs and make decisions. She’s known for her research on the neural basis of human optimism, and her work has been published in leading journals. In her books, The Optimism Bias and The Science of Optimism, she explains why we expect things to work out and how that tendency can quietly expose us to risk. We discuss what’s happening in those in-between moments, why a situation can feel slightly off and still seem reasonable enough to continue, and how past experience lowers our guard without us noticing. We also look at that brief internal hesitation people tend to override, and why it’s often the most useful signal they have. By the time something clearly crosses the line, the decision has usually already been made. Show Notes: [01:14] Tali explains her background as a cognitive neuroscientist and how her work blends psychology, brain science, and behavior. [01:48] Her interest in the field began with a simple question about how the brain drives thoughts, emotions, and actions. [03:00] She shares a personal story about renting out her apartment that turned into a scam. [04:30] Early warning signs show up right away, including unusual requests and meeting conditions. [05:30] Despite noticing those signals, she moves forward and hands over the keys. [08:43] Looking back, she explains how she rationalized each red flag instead of acting on it. [10:02] That uneasy gut feeling is often based on real information your brain is processing quickly. [11:40] Repeated positive experiences can lower your guard and make risky situations feel familiar. [12:30] The “truth bias” leads people to assume others are being honest unless something clearly proves otherwise. [14:00] There’s often a gap between what you feel in the moment and how you explain it afterward. [17:45] The emotional impact of being scammed can linger long after the financial loss is resolved. [20:47] The brain constantly predicts what should happen next and reacts when something doesn’t fit. [21:30] Subtle cues like timing, tone, and facial expression can signal deception without you realizing it. [24:58] Repetition makes scammers more convincing by smoothing out inconsistencies in their story. [26:18] Online communication removes many of the signals people rely on to judge trustworthiness. [27:59] Setting simple personal rules can help you avoid engaging with common scam tactics. [31:00] People are more vulnerable when they want something to be true, especially in relationships or opportunities. [34:30] Even basic checks, like verifying an email address, can stop many scams early. [36:43] A lot of scams succeed because people don’t pause long enough to look closely. [38:19] Familiar situations lead to less attention over time, making it easier to miss important details. s on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Intimate Partner Fraud
04/01/2026
Intimate Partner Fraud
Most scams leave a digital trail. A fake email, a spoofed number, a fraudulent website. You can trace them, report them, sometimes even reverse them. But what happens when the scam has no digital trail at all, because it isn't happening on a screen? What happens when the con is standing right in front of you, making you laugh, meeting your friends, and planning a future with you? My guest today is Tracy Hall. She's an author, keynote speaker, and senior marketing executive with over 25 years at some of the world's most recognizable tech companies including eBay, Virgin, GoDaddy, and Afterpay. She is sharp, successful, and by every measure, exactly the kind of person you'd assume would see it coming. She didn't. And neither would you. In 2017, Tracy woke up to a Crime Stoppers video of an unidentified man being arrested outside a Sydney apartment. That man was her boyfriend of 18 months. Except he wasn't who she thought he was. The man she knew as Max Tevita a Bondi surfer, a finance executive, the person she was building a life with was actually Hamish McLaren, Australia's most infamous conman, a man who had been running long game cons for thirty years across multiple countries, stealing somewhere between eighty and a hundred million dollars from victims around the world. Tracy was his last victim before his arrest. He had stolen her entire life savings of $317,000 and far more than that. This is a story about what happens when the scam isn't a phishing email. It's a relationship. And it will change the way you think about trust, manipulation, and what any of us are actually capable of missing. Show Notes: [1:03] With 25 years as a senior marketing executive behind her, Tracy shares how a year after separating from her husband she began online dating, where she met a man calling himself Max Tevita. [3:25] Presenting himself as a Bondi surfer and chief investment officer, Max spent 18 months slowly and methodically guiding Tracy to invest her entire life savings with him. [5:55] A crime stoppers video changed everything. The man Tracy knew as her boyfriend was actually Hamish McLaren, a professional conman who had been defrauding victims globally for 30 years and stealing an estimated $80 to $100 million. [7:36] A masterful shapeshifter, McLaren adjusted his persona in real time based on Tracy's reactions, including quietly getting rid of his five cars after she called him out on it. [9:54] Tracy breaks down the psychological mechanics of the con, including similarity bias, mirroring, and how McLaren constructed a character she was essentially telling him she wanted. [11:05] Through elaborate "movie sets and scenes," McLaren built layers of authority and confirmation bias over 18 months, making investing her life savings with him feel completely logical. [14:21] Some moments only made sense in hindsight, including a childhood friend accidentally calling McLaren by his nickname "Ham Bone" and his instant, convincing cover story on the spot. [18:22] Humans default to truth, and Tracy explains how that biological wiring makes us uniquely vulnerable to manipulation, especially around emotionally charged stories. [19:29] Every victim got their own version of McLaren barrister, triathlete, business strategist as Tracy describes meeting others who had each been conned by an entirely different character. [22:53] Learning to trust other people wasn't the hard part. Tracy reflects on why rebuilding faith in her own judgment was far more difficult, and how shame dominated the aftermath. [25:21] Through professional help and a conscious daily decision not to let McLaren turn her into a cynical person, Tracy describes how she slowly rebuilt both her finances and her sense of self. [27:05] Understanding the psychology behind scams, cognitive biases, invisible contracts of trust, emotional exploitation is the best defense we have, and Tracy breaks down exactly how it works. [31:33] The medium may be different, but the tactics aren't — Tracy draws striking parallels between her in-person experience and digital romance baiting scams, showing how the emotional manipulation is nearly identical. [34:00] There is no demographic, age group, or intelligence level that is immune. Tracy makes the case that scammers hunt for vulnerability, and at the right moment, we are all soft targets. [36:12] By subtly discouraging Tracy from socializing with friends, McLaren was limiting outside scrutiny and Tracy explains why getting a new partner in front of your personal network as quickly as possible is one of the most important protective steps you can take. [40:24] No digital footprint is a major red flag. Tracy outlines key warning signs to watch for and recommends reverse image searches as a basic but powerful verification step when meeting someone new. [42:08] Every single time Tracy speaks publicly, someone approaches her afterwards with a story they have never told anyone a reminder that silence is exactly what these criminals depend on to keep operating. [43:45] Now fully dedicated to education and awareness, Tracy introduces her memoir The Last Victim and explains how she has channeled her experience into a mission to help others recognize and recover from fraud. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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Identity without Passwords
03/25/2026
Identity without Passwords
Every day, employees at hotels, restaurants, and resorts across the country are doing exactly what they were hired to do: being warm, responsive, and eager to help. It's what makes hospitality work. It's also what makes hospitality one of the most targeted industries in cybersecurity. When your entire workforce is trained to say yes, teaching them to be suspicious is an uphill battle. The smarter solution might be to take the target off their backs entirely. Jasson Casey is the co-founder and CEO of Beyond Identity, a company built around one idea: making identity-based attacks impossible. With over 20 years of experience designing large-scale security infrastructure for global enterprises and carriers, Jasson has spent his career thinking about what happens when stolen credentials open doors they never should have. Beyond Identity's answer isn't better passwords or more authentication hoops, it's eliminating the credential that can be stolen in the first place. Josh Johansen is the Director of IT Systems and Technology at Brandt Hospitality Group, an owner, operator, and developer of hotels under brands including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG. Josh came up through hotel operations, not a computer science program, and that background shapes how he thinks about security practically, from the floor up. He knows his workforce isn't looking to become cybersecurity experts. His job is to build systems that protect them anyway. We talk about why the hospitality industry is such a rich target for phishing attacks, and what happened when one of Josh's general managers nearly paid a fraudulent invoice because she couldn't log in without a password she no longer had. Jasson breaks down how device-bound passkeys work, why most consumer passkeys aren't nearly as secure as people think, and what separates a real security system from one that just looks like one. Josh shares the lessons learned from rolling out this technology across a multi-brand hotel portfolio including what he'd do differently and what it means for an industry still wrestling with shared logins, high turnover, and workers using four different brand systems before lunch. Show Notes: [3:05] A cyber insurance mandate pushes Brandt Hospitality Group to find an MFA solution, and complaints about authentication fatigue make the obvious options the Brandt partners are already using feel like the wrong fit. [4:03] After months of evaluating vendors and completing a full proof of concept, the leading candidate drops smaller accounts without warning, sending Josh back to square one and into a same-day demo with Beyond Identity. [5:09] Beyond Identity moves fast, puts together a rapid proof of concept, and earns the business. Josh describes meeting Jasson in person for the first time at BeyondCon shortly after signing on. [5:45] Hospitality is uniquely vulnerable to phishing attacks, and the industry's culture of helpfulness connects directly to the behaviors bad actors are counting on. [6:49] A general manager calls convinced she needs her password to pay an overdue vendor invoice. When she can't get a login prompt, the situation is recognized immediately as a phishing attempt she nearly fell for. [7:33] Reflecting on that moment, someone sharp and experienced nearly became a victim, and removing the password from the equation entirely turns out to be the real breakthrough. [9:05] The conversation turns to the limitations of cyber awareness training, and why even well-intentioned employees with heavy workloads cannot be expected to function as a reliable last line of defense. [11:13] Jasson describes how Beyond Identity works, using the analogy of a monkey in a jail cell to explain how a signing key stored in a secure hardware enclave can authenticate a user without ever leaving the device. [12:06] The concept of stealable credentials expands beyond passwords to include API tokens, session cookies, SSH keys, and anything else that can be copied and lifted from a system. [17:33] The discussion shifts to agentic identity and AI-driven workflows, with customers on opposite ends of the spectrum — some where agents make up the majority of their workforce, others who paused rollouts after discovering how easily prompt injections could expose sensitive data. [19:17] The biggest mistake organizations make going into a passkey rollout is diving in without a clear understanding of how their identity environment is actually configured and what that means when things don't behave as expected. [20:35] A lesson from their own deployment — initially limiting passkeys to senior staff and leaving line-level employees on passwords — makes clear that partial coverage leaves meaningful gaps. [22:58] Most organizations under active phishing load will experience an incident during a mid-deployment window, and that moment often becomes the event that accelerates full adoption. [24:33] The shared workstation challenge in hospitality comes into focus, along with how the device-bound passkey differs from the consumer versions employees may already be familiar with through Google or Facebook. [29:14] Jasson draws a clear line between consumer passkeys optimized for conversion and enterprise passkeys built for security, explaining how sync fabric trades credential protection for convenience in ways that matter in a corporate environment. [31:07] One enrolled device can cryptographically authorize the enrollment of another, allowing organizations to scale without moving keys or introducing new vulnerabilities. [33:33] The passkey model changes accountability inside a hotel operation — device-bound credentials and role-based access make it significantly harder for well-meaning managers to share login access with staff informally. [36:55] As the conversation wraps, a simple test is offered for evaluating any passkey system: if the passkey can move, it is not a security product. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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When Cybercrime Gets Personal
03/18/2026
When Cybercrime Gets Personal
Most security breaches don't begin with sophisticated code or elaborate technical exploits. They begin with a phone call, a convincing email, or someone at a help desk who just wanted to be helpful. The human layer is often the weakest link, and the criminals who understand that are the ones causing the most damage. My guest today is May Chen-Contino. She's the CEO of Unit 221B, a threat disruption company that delivers actionable intelligence to enterprises, law enforcement, and government agencies. Her background spans cybersecurity, fintech, and SaaS leadership at companies like PayPal and eBay, and she brings a distinctly mission-driven lens to the work, shaped equally by a career in business and a background as a Krav Maga instructor. Unit 221B operates less like a typical security vendor and more like a specialized investigative unit, with a team that includes tenured ransomware experts, incident responders, and former law enforcement, all focused on one outcome: criminal arrest. May has seen firsthand how ransomware gangs operate with their own codes of conduct, how a younger generation of cybercriminals is throwing those rules out entirely, and why paying a ransom is increasingly a bet that doesn't pay off. We talk about why social engineering has overtaken technical hacking as the dominant attack vector, what organizations and individuals should never do in the aftermath of a breach, and how crimes against children online often go unreported for the worst possible reasons. May also shares a story from her own experience being scammed on eBay, and what she did about it, which tells you everything you need to know about how she approaches this work. Show Notes: [1:28] May shares her background and how she came to lead Unit 221B, a threat disruption company serving enterprises, law enforcement, and government. [1:41] May traces her path into cybersecurity, explaining how a lifelong sense of justice and a friendship built through Krav Maga training led her to a team of investigators doing real criminal work. [5:55] May recounts being scammed while selling luxury shoes on eBay, describing how a fraudulent PayPal email convinced her the sale had failed after she had already shipped the item. [8:22] Rather than accepting the loss, May engaged the scammer directly, intercepted her own shipment through FedEx, and used a photoshopped payment screenshot to flip the situation on him. [11:36] The story ends with May recovering her shoes, followed by a candid note that this approach carries real risk and is not something she would recommend to others. [12:57] May outlines Unit 221B's core work, including criminal investigations, threat intelligence, pen testing, and incident response, all oriented toward federal prosecution and criminal arrest. [16:52] The evolving threat landscape, contrasting professional ransomware organizations that tend to honor agreements with a younger generation of cybercriminals who operate without limits. [18:44] May describes this younger criminal group in detail, noting members are predominantly 14 to 26 years old, English-speaking, and motivated as much by social status as financial gain. [21:49] May explains why wiping systems and restoring backups after a breach is one of the most damaging mistakes an organization can make, eliminating evidence and removing any path to prosecution. [23:04] She walks through Unit 221B's incident response process, covering digital forensics, insider threat identification, and determining who is behind an attack before advising on next steps. [26:32] May addresses the ransom payment question directly, recommending against paying as a default while acknowledging that knowing your adversary is essential to making the right call. [28:04] The discussion covers the legal and PR dimensions of a breach, including notification obligations and why some organizations choose to go public about what happened. [31:08] May pushes back on the perception that law enforcement doesn't help, explaining that federal agencies are understaffed and must prioritize cases, but are genuinely committed to the work. [34:08] The issue of victims deleting evidence before reporting, and how frequently this forecloses any possibility of investigation or prosecution. [34:55] The conversation turns to crimes targeting children, including sextortion, and why open dialogue between parents and kids is critical to getting victims to come forward before lasting harm is done. [37:18] May reflects on a keynote she gave at Harvard's Bold Conference for young women, describing the tension between advice to build an online presence and the real safety risks that come with it. [38:51] May shares practical security guidance for young people online, including being mindful of what appears in video backgrounds, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication. [40:35] May identifies AI-assisted attacks and social engineering as the two most significant forces reshaping the threat landscape, with technology now available to both attackers and defenders equally. [43:45] May describes Unit 221B's invite-only intelligence platform, which brings together top investigators, law enforcement, and private sector experts to collaborate and move cases forward. [45:10]Listeners can find Unit 221B at unit221b.com and on LinkedIn, and anyone facing a threat or needing guidance can reach out. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. 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Stopping Phone Scams
03/11/2026
Stopping Phone Scams
Phone scams get dismissed as background noise or just annoying interruptions and unknown numbers with robotic voices we learn to ignore. But behind that noise is an industry built on psychology, automation, and staggering profitability. My guest today is Alex Quilici. He’s an engineer, entrepreneur, and the CEO of YouMail, a company focused on protecting consumers and businesses from unwanted and fraudulent calls. Alex has spent years analyzing how robocalls and scam campaigns are designed, how they evolve, and why they continue to work despite better technology and increased awareness. What began as a voicemail platform shifted into fraud prevention after users unintentionally revealed a powerful truth that even small friction can disrupt scam operations. He shares how his own father got pulled into a tech support scam which cemented his mission to move beyond blocking calls and toward tracing and stopping scams closer to their source. We talk about how scam calls are engineered, the tactics that trigger panic and urgency, and how criminals use data breaches, AI tools, and impersonation to sound convincing. We also explore what’s changing, including fewer random calls, more targeted attacks, rising text and messaging scams, and the difficult balance between stopping fraud and allowing legitimate calls through. Alex shares practical ways consumers and businesses can reduce risk, along with a candid look at why this problem is so persistent and where it’s likely heading next. Show Notes: [2:23] Alex explains how YouMail shifted from a voicemail company into fraud prevention after noticing users using an out-of-service message to deter robocallers. [3:25] Discussion turns to robocall volume, with Alex estimating billions of calls per day and roughly five billion robocalls per month. [4:10] About half of all robocalls are unwanted, while the rest include legitimate reminders from doctors, hospitals, and financial institutions. [5:05] Alex notes that legitimate telemarketing still exists but is now heavily overshadowed by sketchy and scam-driven campaigns. [6:40] Scam calls have declined in raw volume, yet attackers are becoming more targeted and efficient. [7:15] Scammers increasingly pivot to texts, email, and messaging platforms where third-party blocking is harder. [9:27] Alex describes limited progress shutting down shady telemarketers but better success against large-scale illegal robocall operations. [11:05] Sense of urgency emerges as the dominant tactic, often involving fake charges, legal threats, or financial panic triggers. [13:10] Modern scams combine spoofed caller ID with breached personal data to create highly convincing impersonations. [16:27] Scammers are compared to extremely motivated marketers who rapidly adopt AI and optimization techniques. [17:30] The economics are startling, with scam campaigns generating enormous profits at extremely low cost per call. [18:44] Alex advises letting unexpected calls go to voicemail and returning calls through verified, official channels. [20:50] Panic-based bank account scams are highlighted as particularly dangerous because fear overrides logic. [23:19] Businesses are identified as vulnerable targets, especially through employees’ personal mobile phones. [31:52] Enforcement efforts are increasing, and Alex predicts stronger regulatory pressure over the coming year. [35:54] Impersonation scams tied to toll roads, DMVs, crypto, and romance schemes are flagged as growing threats. [38:19] A simple defensive principle is reinforced: pause, disengage, and verify independently before taking action. [41:44] Alex outlines YouMail’s call-screening approach, adding friction that blocks automated scam systems while allowing real callers through. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to and leave a nice review. Links and Resources:
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