That mysterious $1.99 charge from a company you've never heard of? It might be the most important line on your whole statement — a criminal "testing" your stolen card number before the big hit. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan turns you into a statement detective: how card numbers get stolen (usually through no fault of yours), what those tiny test charges really mean, the free "fraud alarm" you can set up in minutes, and your surprisingly strong legal protections — plus the key difference between credit and debit card fraud that most people don't know.

In this episode: data breaches, skimming, and "sucker" marketplaces explained, the small-test-charge early warning, how to read a statement line by line, free transaction alerts that buzz your phone the instant fraud hits, why credit cards protect you better than debit cards, and exactly what to do the moment you spot a charge you didn't make.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, bank, card company, or app mentioned in this episode. Mark Sullivan is not a financial advisor and this episode is not financial advice. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• How card data is stolen — breaches, skimming, criminal marketplaces. Standard FTC and consumer-protection guidance on how payment card data is compromised and resold. FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Test charges as an early indicator. Criminals commonly run small "test" transactions to verify a stolen card is active before making larger purchases. Widely documented consumer-protection and card-industry guidance; confirm wording via consumer.ftc.gov or a card issuer's fraud-education page before recording.
• Credit card liability — $50 cap / zero-liability. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, liability for unauthorized credit card charges is capped at $50; most major issuers offer zero-liability policies. FTC consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current figures before recording.
• Debit card liability — tiered by reporting speed. Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, debit card liability depends on how quickly you report: up to $50 if reported within 2 business days, up to $500 if reported later (within 60 days of the statement), and potentially unlimited beyond that. FTC consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current figures and timeframes before recording.
• Protective tools — transaction alerts, fraud alerts, credit freezes. Free transaction alerts are offered by most banks/issuers; free fraud alerts and credit freezes are available through the three major credit bureaus. FTC consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov) and IdentityTheft.gov; confirm before recording.
• Older adults and financial fraud context. Older adults reported billions in fraud losses; statement monitoring and fast reporting are key mitigations. FTC "Protecting Older Consumers" report (ftc.gov); FBI/IC3 (fbi.gov).
• Reporting and recovery resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

"Congratulations! You've won!" — possibly the most expensive sentence in America. The prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scam is one of the oldest cons there is, and it has never stopped working because it preys not on fear, but on hope. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan reveals how the dream of a windfall becomes a trap, the cruel "sunk-cost" spiral that keeps victims paying fee after fee, and the single, never-fails detector that exposes every version instantly: a real prize never asks you to pay to collect it. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: why this scam uses joy instead of fear, the "fees" that are really the entire con (taxes, customs, processing), how one payment turns into many, the "sucker list" that paints a target on victims' backs, and the magic-wand rule — if you have to pay to collect winnings, it's a scam, every time.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, sweepstakes, website, or app mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Older adults more likely to lose money to prize/sweepstakes/lottery scams. Older adults were much more likely than younger adults to report losing money on prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams (alongside tech support, romance, and government impersonation scams). FTC, "Protecting Older Consumers" report and FTC press releases (ftc.gov); CNBC summary (cnbc.com), Dec 2025.
• Sweepstakes and lottery scams as common threats to older citizens. Common scams targeting older citizens include romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes and lottery, home repair, and TV/radio scams. FBI, "Scammers Target Older Adult Victims" (fbi.gov/news/stories/scammers-target-older-adult-victims).
• Mechanics — fees to "release" a prize, sunk-cost escalation, "sucker lists," and recovery scams. Reflects long-standing FTC consumer guidance on prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams (you never pay to collect a legitimate prize; you can't win a contest you didn't enter; payment via gift card/wire/crypto is a red flag; victims are re-targeted, including by recovery scams). FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Reporting resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consumer.ftc.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

Not every scam comes through a screen — some knock politely on your front door. The crew with "leftover asphalt" for your driveway. The roofer who "noticed" damage from the street. The free inspection that finds an expensive emergency. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan steps off the keyboard and onto the porch to break down the in-person home repair con — why it targets older homeowners, how it leans on our good manners, the dangerous "distraction burglary" version, and a simple, confident game plan for handling any unexpected knock. Includes guidance grounded in FBI and FTC consumer-protection resources.

In this episode: the driveway-paving and roof-repair classics, the cash-only / "let me drive you to the bank" red flag, why letting a stranger inside is a physical-safety risk, how to vet a real contractor (multiple written quotes, licensing, your own timeline), how to verify a "utility worker," and your permission slip — you can always say no at the door and never decide or pay on the spot.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, contractor, or service mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Home repair / contractor scams as a common threat to older adults. Common scams targeting older citizens include home repair and contractor scams, alongside romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, and sweepstakes/lottery scams. FBI, "Scammers Target Older Adult Victims" (fbi.gov/news/stories/scammers-target-older-adult-victims).
• Door-to-door / home improvement scam tactics. Reflects standard FTC and state consumer-protection guidance: unsolicited offers, "leftover materials," pressure for same-day decisions, cash-only/upfront payment demands, unlicensed operators, and substandard or phantom work. FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Distraction burglary / utility impersonation. Reflects law-enforcement and consumer-protection warnings about scammers posing as utility workers or contractors to gain entry or distract while an accomplice steals valuables. General police/consumer-protection guidance; confirm wording via a reputable source (e.g., consumer.ftc.gov or a state AG office) before recording.
• Vetting contractors — multiple quotes, licensing, verification. Standard FTC/consumer guidance on hiring legitimate contractors. consumer.ftc.gov; confirm before recording.
• Reporting resources mentioned. Local police (for theft or entry); state attorney general / local consumer protection offices (for contractor fraud); FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consumer.ftc.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

Investment fraud is now the single biggest destroyer of older Americans' money — bigger than romance scams, bigger than fake government agents, bigger than anything else — and it increasingly arrives through social media. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan shows how a retirement built over decades can vanish in days: the fake gurus and "investment groups," the deepfaked celebrity endorsements promising to double your Bitcoin, the fake platforms that show imaginary gains, and the bedrock principles that separate real investing from a beautifully disguised trap. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: why responsible savers are the prime target, how the fake-platform trap springs (and why a small "successful withdrawal" is just bait), why "guaranteed high returns" is always a scam, how to verify any investment professional for free through investor.gov and BrokerCheck, and the one rule that closes the door on nearly all investment fraud. (Note: Mark is not a financial advisor; this episode is about spotting fraud, not investment advice.)

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, platform, or app mentioned in this episode. Mark Sullivan is not a financial advisor and this episode is not financial advice. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Investment scams = #1 loss category for older adults; social media is the top contact method. In 2024, older adults reported losing far more money to investment scams than to any other fraud type, often targeted on social media; consumers of all ages report social media as the most common method of contact for investment scams. FTC, "Protecting Older Consumers" report and FTC press release (ftc.gov), Dec 2025.
• Scale of investment-fraud losses. Investment fraud led to billions in reported losses and has been the largest driver of individual losses over $100,000. FTC press releases (ftc.gov); AARP summary of FBI/FTC 2025 data (aarp.org); FBI/IC3 (fbi.gov).
• Crypto investment scams. Cryptocurrency scams affected more than 42,000 older victims with billions in losses in a single year. FBI/IC3 data via Bitdefender (bitdefender.com).
• Deepfake celebrity endorsements / "double your Bitcoin" schemes. Scammers use deepfaked livestreams and fake giveaways (e.g., a famous figure appearing to "send free ETH" or double your Bitcoin) to lure investors. OpenClassActions summary (Medium); State of Surveillance (stateofsurveillance.org).
• Fake-platform mechanics (fake gains, bait withdrawal, withdrawal "fees"). Reflects FTC/SEC consumer guidance and the documented pig-butchering/investment-platform pattern. FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); SEC investor.gov; State of Surveillance (stateofsurveillance.org).
• Verification tools and principles. SEC's investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck for verifying registered professionals; "guaranteed high returns are a red flag" and "if it sounds too good to be true, it is" reflect standard SEC/FTC guidance. investor.gov; consumer.ftc.gov; confirm current wording before recording.
• Reporting resources mentioned. SEC (investment fraud) via investor.gov/sec.gov; CFTC (crypto/commodities complaints); FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consumer.ftc.gov; FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

"USPS: Your package couldn't be delivered. Click here to reschedule." You've gotten this text. So has everyone. According to the FBI, deceptive texts and emails — phishing and smishing — are the single most commonly reported type of fraud. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan breaks down the everyday text-and-email scam: the handful of messages you'll see over and over, what really happens when you tap that link, and the one simple habit that defeats the most common scam in the world. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: what phishing, smishing, and vishing actually mean, the greatest-hits scam texts (fake packages, fake tolls, fake account alerts, fake prizes), how criminals build perfect counterfeit websites to harvest your password, why getting lots of scam texts doesn't mean you've been hacked, and the golden rule — never tap a link in an unexpected message.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, carrier, app, or website mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Phishing/spoofing as the most commonly reported fraud against seniors. Phishing and spoofing scams were the most commonly reported frauds targeting seniors; they arrive via convincing emails, text messages, or phone calls appearing to come from trusted organizations — banks, delivery companies, or even family members — with the goal of tricking victims into sharing passwords, financial details, or other sensitive information. Bitdefender summary of FBI/IC3 2025 data (bitdefender.com); FBI/IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report (fbi.gov).
• Scale of fraud and senior losses. Complaints from victims over 60 exceeded 201,000 with losses over $7.7 billion in 2025. FBI/IC3 (fbi.gov).
• Phishing/smishing/vishing definitions and mechanics. Reflects standard FTC and consumer-protection guidance on phishing (fake links, counterfeit websites, credential and payment harvesting, malware). FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Reporting spam texts. Forwarding spam texts to 7726 ("SPAM") is a widely available U.S. carrier feature; scam emails can be marked as spam/phishing in most email programs. General consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm before recording.
• Recovery steps — password changes, two-factor authentication, card replacement, identity theft. Standard FTC guidance. consumer.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov.
• Reporting resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

A blaring alarm fills your screen. A warning that looks like it's from Microsoft or Apple says your computer's been hacked and your information is being stolen — call this number now. It's the tech support scam, and it's consistently one of the top frauds reported by older adults. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan completes the FTC's "three lies" trilogy by dismantling the fake virus alert, the remote-access trap, and the cruel "refund" trick — and teaches you exactly what to do, calmly, when a scary pop-up takes over your screen. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: why real tech companies never put a phone number in a pop-up, how a webpage fakes a "virus scan" it can't actually run, the single most dangerous moment (handing over remote access), the "I accidentally refunded you too much — send it back" trick, and a calm, step-by-step plan for getting out of a scary pop-up without losing a thing.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, website, app, or store mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Tech support scams among top categories for older adults. Tech support scams, along with government impersonation scams, frequently top the list of fraud categories and/or losses affecting older adults; they typically involve unsolicited offers to fix a "problem" with your computer from someone pretending to be from a legitimate software company like Microsoft or Apple. NCOA, "Top Scams Targeting Older Adults" citing FTC/IC3 data (ncoa.org); FTC consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov).
• The "three lies" — lie #3. These scams often start with a fake on-screen security alert that looks like it's from Microsoft or Apple, with a number to call, claiming there's a security problem with your computer. FTC press release, "FTC Data Show a More Than Four-Fold Increase…" (ftc.gov), Aug 2025.
• Older adults more likely to lose money to tech support scams. Older adults were much more likely than younger adults to report losing money on tech support scams. FTC, "Protecting Older Consumers" report (ftc.gov), late 2025.
• Remote access and refund-scam mechanics; how to exit a scam pop-up. Reflects long-standing FTC consumer guidance on tech support scams (never call the number, never give remote access, real companies don't send pop-up alerts with phone numbers, restarting won't harm your computer). FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Reporting and recovery resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

A federal agent calls to say your Social Security number has been linked to drug trafficking and money laundering — and there's a warrant for your arrest. It's terrifying. It's also a complete fiction, and it's happening to thousands of older Americans. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan breaks down the government impersonation scam in all its disguises — fake Social Security, IRS, DEA, and police calls — and arms you with six permanent truths about how the real government operates that make you bulletproof against every version. Grounded in a real FBI-documented case and backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: the real DEA-impersonation call the FBI traced to an overseas call center, why "your Social Security number has been suspended" is impossible, the payment methods that instantly expose any government impersonator, the stagecraft of badge numbers and "supervisor" transfers, why robocalls want you to "press 1," and the simplest defense of all — the real government sends letters.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, website, or app mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Real DEA-impersonation case. During an investigation into a fraudulent call center operating out of India, FBI Special Agent Ron Miller identified an older American woman being targeted; scammers claimed to be from the DEA and said her name and Social Security number were linked to bank accounts associated with drug trafficking and money laundering. Quote: "Almost anyone can be a victim. These guys are just that good." FBI, "Scammers Target Older Adult Victims" (fbi.gov/news/stories/scammers-target-older-adult-victims).
• Volume of government-impersonation complaints. IC3 logged more than 8,600 complaints about government impersonation scams from senior victims; complaints from victims over 60 exceeded 201,000 with losses over $7.7 billion. FBI / IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report (fbi.gov).
• Government impersonation as a top category for older adults. Older adults are much more likely than younger adults to report losses to government impersonation scams (and to tech support, prize/sweepstakes/lottery, and romance scams). FTC, "Protecting Older Consumers" report and FTC press releases (ftc.gov), late 2025.
• The "three lies" — lie #2. Scammers claim your information is being used to commit crimes such as drug smuggling or money laundering, posing as a government officer. FTC press release (ftc.gov), Aug 2025.
• Retirees' life savings and government/business impersonation. FTC reporting describes scammers posing as trusted government agencies and businesses to steal retirees' life savings. FTC Data Spotlight, "False alarm, real scam" (ftc.gov), 2025.
• How real agencies operate / payment red flags. Government agencies contact people about serious matters by mail and never demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash; Social Security numbers cannot be "suspended." General FTC and SSA OIG consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov; oig.ssa.gov); confirm current language before recording.
• Reporting resources mentioned. SSA Office of the Inspector General (oig.ssa.gov) for Social Security impersonation; FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov; FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).

The phone rings and the caller ID shows your bank's real name and number. A calm, professional voice from the "fraud department" says criminals are draining your account — but they can help you protect your money by moving it to a "safe account." It's a scam that has wiped out entire life savings in a single phone call. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan breaks down the bank impersonation and "phantom hacker" scam, the FTC's "three lies" these criminals chain together, and the master defense that defeats all of it. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: how scammers fake (spoof) your bank's real phone number, the one sentence — "move your money to a safe account" — that instantly reveals the scam, why they hand you off from "bank" to "government" to "tech support," how to add a trusted contact to your accounts, and the family rule that protects your nest egg before you ever need it.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, website, or app mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• The "three lies" framework. Impersonation scams generally take three forms: (1) someone is using your accounts (fake bank/Amazon); (2) your information is being used to commit crimes (fake government); (3) there's a security problem with your computer (fake Microsoft/Apple alert). FTC press release, "FTC Data Show a More Than Four-Fold Increase in Reports of Impersonation Scammers…" (ftc.gov), Aug 2025.
• Eight-fold rise in large losses. Combined losses reported by older adults who lost more than $100,000 increased about eight-fold, from ~$55 million in 2020 to ~$445 million in 2024. FTC press release (ftc.gov), Aug 2025.
• Retirees' life savings targeted. FTC reports describe a growing wave of scams aimed at retirees' life savings, with scammers posing as trusted government agencies and businesses. FTC Data Spotlight, "False alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing older adults' life savings" (ftc.gov), 2025.
• "Phantom Hacker" scam. A layered impersonation scam progressing through tech-support, financial-institution, and government-impersonation phases, named by the FBI. Referenced via FBI/FTC impersonation reporting; confirm specifics at fbi.gov before recording.
• Caller ID spoofing. Criminals can fake the name and number that appears on caller ID, including a bank's real customer service number. General FTC consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current language before recording.
• Trusted contact safeguard. Many banks and brokerages allow accountholders to add a "trusted contact" who can be reached if financial exploitation is suspected; FINRA requires brokerages to make a reasonable effort to request one. CNBC, "Financial fraud cost older adults…" (cnbc.com), Dec 2025.
• Reporting resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consumer.ftc.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).