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AARP’s weekly podcast The Perfect ScamSM tells the stories of people who find themselves the target of a scam. Host Bob Sullivan introduces listeners to those who have experienced scams firsthand, as well as leading experts who pull back the curtain on how scammers operate.
The Perfect ScamSM is a project of the AARP Fraud Watch Network, which equips consumers like you with the knowledge to give you power over scams.
Sisters Help Bring Down a Magazine Telemarketing Scam
Sisters Penny and Nancy’s quest to end magazine subscriptions and years of harassing phone calls leads them to help bring down a 20-year conspiracy that robbed victims nationwide of millions of dollars.
Archive: Hacker Uses Skills to Take Down a Phone Scam Operation
In the UK an IT professional who goes by the alias Jim Browning is battling cyber scams by reverse engineering his way into scammers computers.
Archive: Credit Card Con Queen Targets Wealthy Older Adults
After gaining credit card information from the wealthy seniors she targets, Lisa Reid goes on lavish shopping sprees at high-end retailers, leaving her victims with bills of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Bonus: Toll Road Scams Are Trending
Drivers across the country are receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they have unpaid tolls. Bob talks with Eva Velasquez from the Identity Theft Resource Center about this trending scam.
Criminals Steal $200K From Volunteer Fire Department
When the Volunteer Fire Department in Rockville, Maryland, is targeted by a scammer while they are in the process of purchasing two new ambulances, the community comes together to their rescue.
How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)
When Daniel returns home for a visit, he is shocked to discover that a house is being built on his property. How could something like this happen, when the land was never for sale?
Ohio Woman Comes Face-to-Face With Her Scammers
A call from the “Social Security Administration” leaves Lori rattled and rushing to convert her savings into gold bars. But this virtual crime becomes very real when money mules show up at her door.
Family Left Homeless After Rental Scam
Before a big move with his family, Phillip flies to Denver to tour the perfect rental house. A few days after he moves in, other people begin arriving at his door claiming they have also rented the house.
Puppy Scam Robs Couple of Their Life Savings
When the house gets a little too quiet for empty nesters Michael and Kelli, they turn to the internet in search of a puppy. Instead, the couple are targeted by criminals who steal their life savings.
Golfer Steals Thousands From Charitable Causes
When fellow golfer Rob offers Lindsay the chance to give back to some charitable causes that are close to her heart, she jumps at the opportunity. But is this fundraiser the real thing?
Archive Episode: Rookie FBI Agent Turns Tables on International Scammers, Part 2
In Part 2, rookie FBI agent Mike and 80-year-old Alan, who has lost $600,000 to scammers, hatch a plan to lure the crooks to the U.S. and bring them to justice.
Archive Episode: Rookie FBI Agent Turns Tables on International Scammers, Part 1
International scammers are notably hard to prosecute, but when rookie FBI agent Mike meets 80-year-old Alan, who lost $600,000 to scammers, they hatch a plan to lure the crooks to the U.S. for arrest.
A Mexican Drug Cartel Runs Time-Share Scam, Part 2
James is becoming suspicious of the real estate deal to sell his time-share, but he couldn’t have imagined that he’d be involved in a dangerous scam run by members of a notorious Mexican drug cartel.
A Mexican Drug Cartel Runs Time-Share Scam, Part 1
James receives an offer to sell an unwanted time-share, but unexpected fees pile up and delay the sale. Little does he know that a dangerous Mexican drug cartel is behind it all.
Criminals Cash In on Couple's Credit Card Points
Jody and her family love to travel and save up their credit card reward points for family vacations. When the points start disappearing, they learn how thieves are turning their hard-earned points into cash.
Scammers Defraud Small-Biz Owner in Arrest Warrant Scam
During the pandemic, government loans are a lifeline for many small businesses, including Victor’s. But Victor doesn’t realize his loan information is easily accessible to scammers, who use it to their advantage.
Utility Bill Scam Targets Grieving Family
After receiving a notice from the "power company,” Lorraine transfers her late father’s account to her name, but she soon realizes that impostors have stolen her deposit and her information.
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About the Fraud Watch Network
Whether you have been personally affected by scams or fraud or are interested in learning more, the AARP Fraud Watch Network advocates on your behalf and equips you with the knowledge you need to feel more informed and confidently spot and avoid scams.
Season 17
- Lawyer Fights to Regain Identity from Timeshare Resale Scam
- International Fraud & Money Laundering Ring Exposed, Part 1
- International Fraud and Money Laundering Ring Exposed, Part 2
- Contractor Defrauds Wisconsin Homeowners
- Veterans Targeted in Military Benefits Scam, Part 1
- Veterans Targeted in Military Benefits Scam, Part 2
- College Professor’s Retirement Stolen in Nightmare Scam
- Job Hunting? Look Out for These Scams
- From Tech Support to Crypto ATM, Scammers Steal Thousands
- Romance Scammer Impersonates Korean Celebrity
- Inside the Dark Web
- Bonus Episode: Six Scams on the Rise
Season 16
- Couple and Homeless Man Conspire on Viral $400K GoFundMe Scam
- ‘National Geographic’ Photographer Paul Nicklen Warns About Social Media Impostors, Part 2
- 'National Geographic' Photographer Paul Nicklen Warns About Social Media Impostors, Part 1
- YouTube Star Kitboga Fights Fraud With Humor
- SIM Swapping: A Multimillion Dollar Scam
- Holiday Scams: What to Look Out For This Season
- Phone Scams and the Human Trafficking Connection
- A Veteran Rebuilds His Life After a Scam Takes Everything
- Criminals Deceive Search Engines With Fake Results
- AI, Voice Cloning and Scams: What You Should Know
- Psychic Mail Fraud Scheme Enabled by One of the Word's Largest Data Firms
- Dog Hospice Targeted by Fake Bank Texts
- Honolulu’s Power Couple Caught: Mortgage Scam, Part 2
- Couple Masterminds a Reverse Mortgage Scheme, Part 1
Season 15
- Women Band Together to Take Down a Serial Romance Scammer, Part 1
- Women Band Together to Take Down a Serial Romance Scammer, Part 2
- DEA Impostor Steals Montana Woman’s Life Savings
- An Old Scam Is Making a Comeback: Check Washing
- A Reality TV Star’s Telemarketing Scheme
- ‘Garbage Into Gold’ Ponzi Scheme
- Taylor Swift Fans Targeted in Concert Ticket Scams
- Scam Victim Turns Movie Star
- One Woman’s Story of Survival After a Scam, Part 1
- One Woman’s Story of Survival After a Scam, Part 2
- Bonus: Top 5 Things to Know About Crypto Scams
Season 14
- A Texas Hospice Provider’s Deadly Scheme, Part 1
- A Texas Hospice Provider’s Deadly Scheme, Part 2
- FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 1
- FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 2
- Words Matter: Blame Fraud on Criminals, Not Victims
- International Crime Ring Sets Up in West Virginia College Town
- Puppy Scammers Steal Thousands
- Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 1
- Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 2
- Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 1
- Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2
- Bonus Episode: ‘Catphishing the Catphisher’
Season 13
- Recent MBA Wakes Up From Dream Work-From-Home Job
- Why Gift Cards Are Gold Mines for Scammers, Part 1
- Why Gift Cards Are Gold Mines for Scammers, Part 2
- The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
- Woman’s Inheritance Wiped Out in Crypto-Dating Scam
- The Perfect Scam Presents: A Special Report on the Texas Elder Murders, Parts 1-4
- Fake Doctor Runs Phony Medical Spa Scheme, Part 1
- Fake Doctor Runs Phony Medical Spa Scheme, Part 2
- Bonus Episode: Trending Scams to Look Out for in 2023
Season 12
- Inside the World of a Scam-Busting YouTuber
- Zelle Scam Threatens Baker’s Dream Business, Part 1
- Local TV Station Brings Attention to Zelle Fraud, Part 2
- Crypto Criminals Part 1, A LinkedIn Connection Gone Wrong
- Crypto Criminals Part 2, Experts Explain
- Dying to Be Ill Part 1: GoFundMe Scam Targets Dart Community
- Dying to be Ill Part 2: GoFundMe Scam Targets Dart Community
- Computer Hacker Drains Couple's Life Savings, Part 1
- Tom and Dianne's Savings Disappear After Seeking Help, Part 2
- Star-Studded Wedding Becomes Bride’s Worst Nightmare, Part 1
- Journalist Exposes Her Celebrity Fiancé, Part 2
- Bonus Episode: The Ringing Won’t Stop! Why Robocalls Are Still Big Business
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