Easy Prey Podcast

Scams, hackers, and other cybercriminals are everywhere. They’re creative and clever, and they’re doing their best to infiltrate your world and get whatever they can out of you. Over the past several decades, their attacks have increased, and there’s no end in sight. But you can take steps to protect yourself. If you want better…

We’re currently in “cuffing season.”. This means scammers are keeping their eyes on dating apps. Dating sites and apps make prime targets, not just because there are a lot of people on them, but because these sites can have all kinds of data available for malicious people. If you’re looking for a partner online, you…

Everyone on the internet is exposed to some degree of risk. One of those risks is of a data breach or leak. Every time you create a new account or set up a new app, you create a new place where your data can be hacked or breached. That’s why taking steps for better data…

As people age, their health declines and they may start having struggles with their mental faculties. Many families consider options like guardianship or conservatorship. But the court system used to appoint guardians is full of risks – including unscrupulous people out to steal your aging relative’s money. If you are aging or have an aging…

Many parents assume that grooming is something that happens to other kids, not theirs. But that assumption means they may miss signs of grooming in their child. They also pass up a valuable opportunity to teach their kids what to watch for. Any child could be targeted by groomers and manipulated into making bad choices…

We all know how it works: If you need to prove your identity for some reason, you have to provide an official physical document like a passport, driver’s license, or state ID. But that may soon be a thing of the past. Technology that allows digital identity verification will make it easier to prove who…

Scams and cyber crime are constantly increasing. New advances in technology enable criminals to attack faster, smarter, and with ploys that look more genuine than ever. Even experts can get caught in their tricks. That’s why it’s important that we go beyond just preventing scams and cyber attacks. Prevention is part of it. But it’s…

People are falling for scams and fraud every day. For most of these victims, it’s not just a financial loss – it can be emotionally and psychologically devastating. And often, the scam victim support they receive is limited, if they receive any at all. But there is help and support available to help victims navigate…

It’s easy to assume that all scammers are evil and heartless. After all, they’re tricking you out of your money. But in reality, the person on the phone or sending you emails may not want to scam you any more than you want to be scammed. Many scam masterminds are using human trafficking into scam…

Being caught in an active shooter situation is a nightmare scenario. Nobody wants it to happen. But if it does, you can increase your chances of surviving, helping those around you survive, or even ending the situation with active shooter preparedness. The key is to know in advance what to do. See Active Shooter Preparedness…

Most of us set passwords for our online accounts hoping to ensure our privacy and security. Those of us who are more concerned about security may sacrifice convenience believing it makes us even more secure. But as technology changes, passwords are not the complete security solution we think they are. Other digital identification methods may…

There are lots of great tools out there to help you stay safer online. But online safety requires more than just downloading a piece of software. To really stay safe, you have to be an active participant in your own protection. But you don’t have to be a tech genius to do it. These tips…

Scams are everywhere, targeting all kinds of people with all kinds of phony stories. They will go after anyone who has any money. Anyone can get caught in a scam, no matter your age, gender, intelligence, education, or anything else. One scam tracker wants to explain to everyone how scams work and provide tips to…

Dating and romance scams are more common – and more insidious – than most people realize. Networks of organized criminals are perpetrating them professionally and systematically every day. Some scammers are willing to invest significant time to win over their targets. And the results can be devastating emotionally, psychologically, and financially. World Romance Scam Prevention…

Most of us want to be polite and help others where we can. But scammers can take advantage of that. Using tools like critical thinking, situational awareness, and slowing down conversations can help you get better at stopping scams before they become financial disasters. Using the Stop-Challenge-Protect framework can help you do that. See Stopping…

You’ve probably heard the phrase “buyer beware.” It refers to situations where it’s the buyer’s responsibility to make sure the thing they’re buying is safe and isn’t a scam. When it comes to tangible things, there are laws and regulations in place to help protect us. But online, it’s still a “buyer beware” world. The…

Scammers have learned to use systems like shipping, rental cars, and rental homes against us. And they’re really good at staying under the radar. They also know a lot of psychological tricks to manipulate us and use our own brains to get us caught in their traps. In order to avoid scammers and stay safe,…

Modern communication is lightning-fast, and the internet is available all the time. Misinformation and disinformation spreads quickly, and it’s easy for even smart and aware people to be caught by it. But there is a way to keep misinformation from tricking you. By understanding disinformation and misinformation techniques, you can “inoculate” yourself against false and…

Like malicious magicians, scammers use distractions and illusions to keep you from figuring out their tricks. They know if they can’t keep up the facade, you’ll realize it’s fishy. Many of the common techniques of scams – like urgency and rushing your decision – are really ways to hijack your decision-making brain and keep you…

If you think about it, the technology we have around us today is pretty incredible. From generative AI tools like ChatGPT to DNA testing, so many technological abilities that are normal now would have been something out of a sci-fi film or a James Bond movie thirty years ago. But just like in science fiction,…

Whether you’re talking to a friend, interviewing a potential employee, making a sale, or recruiting a spy, human psychology doesn’t change. The foundations of an honest conversation are the same. We can use communication techniques to inspire trust and get the information we need. Master manipulators may know how to sound good without answering your…

People end up in a multi-level marketing company, or MLM, for different reasons. Maybe you wanted to help a friend. Maybe you wanted to make some extra money. Or maybe you were tricked and didn’t intend to sign up at all. It’s important to know that not all multi-level marketing companies are bad. But MLM…

Scammers, fraudsters, and manipulators of all kinds are out there trying to take advantage of you. Often, they are incredibly skilled at it. Even the smartest and most aware person can get caught in a scam. But there are stills we can learn to help. Learning to read body language and understand human behavior can…