Episodes

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, dives deep into the alarming world of romance scams, focusing on a tragic case highlighted in CBS Evening News' series "Anything for Love." Joyce breaks down the manipulative tactics used by scammers, emphasizing the role of "Money Mules" in the fraud process. Through a detailed discussion, listeners gain invaluable insights into the operational strategies of scammers ...

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, takes us through a harrowing impersonation scam story shared by Sonny, whose wife became a victim of scammers skillfully posing as various government officials. From Customs, Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals, the scammers' used an elaborate scheme to scam! Together, Joyce and Sunny dissect the step-by-step manipulation process, from the initial fraudulent call unde...

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, dives deep into the IRS Identity Protection PIN—a powerful tool in the fight against tax-related fraud. With fraudulent tax returns causing a staggering $6 billion in losses annually, the IRS introduced this PIN to safeguard taxpayers' refunds. Join Joyce as she guides you through the application process, emphasizing the importance of the PIN for anyone who files tax r...

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, sits down with Steve, who shares his near-miss experience with a scam called "pig butchering", which lures victims with the promise of lucrative cryptocurrency investments. Explore the depths of the mechanics behind the "pig butchering" scam and how scammers exploit social media and personal connections to build trust before slaughtering your piggy bank and vanishing w...

On this episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, exposes the latest scams targeting the elderly. From the classic Reader's Digest sweepstake scams to the more insidious package delivery scams, Joyce provides valuable insights into recognizing these fraudulent schemes. This episode takes a compassionate turn as it explores the emotional and psychological impact of scams on victims, particularly older adults. With a...

On this episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, discusses the two prevalent scams that are currently making the rounds. First up is the “Look Who Died” scam on Facebook, a malicious attempt to exploit users’ emotions and curiosity. Following that, Joyce sheds light on “bank jugging,” a concerning trend that has prompted warnings from the Chandler Police Department. Through expert insights and actionable advice, t...

On this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, hears from Janet who shares a recent tech support scam that targeted a 92-year-old family member. Through Janet's story, we understand the sophisticated tactics scammers use, from alarming pop-up messages to posing as bank employees, in order to exploit vulnerabilities and instill fear. This episode not only sheds light on the emotional and financial toll such scams...

On this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, exposes the alarming resurgence of the jury duty scam! Joyce breaks down the scam's mechanics, from the initial contact—often through phone calls, texts, or emails—to the creation of a state of fear, and the pressing demand for payment to avoid arrest. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing emotional manipulation and consulting a trusted person. This episode i...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, explores the intricate world of New Year's resolution scams, particularly those related to popular goals like losing weight and getting in shape. Joyce provides an invaluable update on gift card scams, revealing how scammers evolve their tactics to deceive consumers. Joyce dissects various fraudulent schemes, from fake weight loss products to deceptive gym membershi...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of ROSE Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the intricate world of government scams. Joyce breaks down how scammers impersonate various government organizations like the IRS, Social Security, and Medicare to exploit unsuspecting individuals. She emphasizes the evolution of these scams, highlighting tactics like threatening arrest warrants and the misuse of personal information. Offering practical advi...

In this special episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of Rose Resources Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the crucial topic of holiday scams. With the increase in online shopping and charitable donations during the festive season, Joyce provides invaluable advice on how to stay vigilant and protect yourself from various scams. From understanding the tricks scammers use on websites to tips on secure online payments and the importance of verifying charitie...

In this insightful episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” our host Joyce Petroski, founder of Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the world of grandparent scams. This episode is an eye-opener, explaining how scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities to trick grandparents into believing their grandchildren are in trouble, requiring immediate financial assistance. Joyce breaks down the evolution of these scams, highlighting the use of social media and artificial intelligence by...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Scams, Joyce Petrowski guides us through the cunning world of thech support scams, explaining how they operate and the emotional tactics scammers use to manipulate their victims. Learn about the common ploys like unexpected contacts from well-known tech companies, false virus alerts, and phony refund offers. Joyce delves into real-life scenarios, including how scammers use fear and urgency to gain access to your devices and personal information. The episode al...

In this episode, Joyce Petrowski dives into the intricate world of scams, reviewing the anatomy of a scam, breaking down their anatomy into three critical components: initiating contact, creating a compelling reason to act, and requesting payment. The spotlight is on charity scams, a prevalent threat, especially during the holiday season. Scammers exploit global events, natural disasters, and conflicts to prey on emotions and solicit donations. Joyce emphasizes the importance of verification in ...

In this kickoff episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams” with your host Joyce Petrowski, we dive deep into the alarming statistics from 2022, revealing the surge in scams targeting our older adult population. Joyce breaks down the anatomy of scams, providing insights into their strategies, techniques, and patterns. From the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s elder fraud reports to real-life scam tactics, equip yourself with knowledge to be one step ahead of the fraudsters. Remember to click on t...