Episodes

5
March 11, 2025

Text Messages and Phishing Scams

How many text messages do you get in a day? We are all busy with life and text messages add to this. We are deep into work, your phone pings, we immediately look at the text. The message seems official and has a sense of urgency. We click on the link, input our personal information and credit card and go back to work. We just fell for a phishing scam. Remember to pause and think about the text message. Do not engage, do your research and make a determination if the message is real or scam. Le...
5
March 4, 2025

Are you on Social Media? Tune in to learn about Scams on Facebook

Are you on social media? Scammers are on social media too hijacking and cloning accounts wanting to be your friend. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the friend request is a real account or a scammer's account. In this episode we talk about different scams that have been found on Facebook and what you can do to protect yourself. Let’s Talk About Scams is broadcast live Tuesdays at 8AM PT on K4HD Radio - Hollywood Talk Radio (www.k4hd.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Me...
4
Feb. 25, 2025

Fraudulent Tax Returns and How to Protect Yourself

Has someone filed a tax return in your name? What a mess! Joyce talks about her current experience with a fraudulent tax return filed in her name and social security number. The process she is going through and how long it could take to resolve. What...
3
Feb. 18, 2025

Impersonating Publisher's Clearing House - A Real Life Example

Scammers love to impersonate Publisher's Clearing House and a lot of other well known companies. This week Joyce is talking with Brian Watson, Community Outreach Specialist with R.O.S.E., who shares a real life experience of someone he met who fell victim to this type of scam. Tune in to learn more about how this impersonation scam works and what you can to protect yourself. Let’s Talk About Scams is broadcast live Tuesdays at 8AM PT on K4HD Radio - Hollywood Talk Radio (www.k4hd.com) part of T...
2
Feb. 11, 2025

Anatomy of a Scam

In this episode, Joyce will breakdown scams into three different parts using the Anatomy of a Scam Infographic. There are so many scams out there and scammers are constantly changing their tactics and techniques which makes it very difficult to keep up with them. R.O.S.E. created the Anatomy of a Scam to better understand scams in general. Tune in an be better prepared to recognize a scam. Let’s Talk About Scams is broadcast live Tuesdays at 8AM PT on K4HD Radio - Hollywood Talk Radio (www.k4...
1
Feb. 4, 2025

Your information is online - hacks, data breaches, apps and more!

Let's Talk About Scams, hosted by Joyce Petrowski, President and Founder of R.O.S.E., nonprofit focused on preventing financial exploitation of older adults. Find more information and sign up for our newsletters at www.roseadvocacy.org. We want everyone to have a healthy skepticism and know how to protect themselves from scams. Joyce is joined by Gordie Siewert, with Acacia IT at acaciait.com. We will explore hacking, data breaches, apps & data collection and how to protect yourself. Let’s T...
21
July 23, 2024

The Role of NASM in Senior Move Management

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski welcomes Zachary from Riavanti, a senior move management company. Zachary provides valuable insights into the role of senior move managers, explaining how they assist seniors in downsizing and moving into new homes or senior communities. The discussion covers the personalized services offered by Riavanti, including sorting, packing, coordinating with movers, and ensuring a smooth transition for seniors. The importance of the Natio...
20
July 9, 2024

Safeguard Your Move: Insights from a Moving Industry Pro

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski welcomes George Phillips, the business development manager at Just-In Time Moving (jitmoving.com) and a member of the Arizona Movers Association. George shares valuable insights on how to choose a reputable moving company, focusing on the unique challenges and considerations for elderly individuals and interstate moves. He highlights the importance of verifying a moving company's credentials, such as their Department of Transporta...
12
March 19, 2024

Close Call: Unraveling a Pig Butchering Scam

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...
11
March 5, 2024

The Hidden Costs of Scams: Beyond the Financial Loss

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...
10
Feb. 20, 2024

Beware the Scam: From Facebook Fakes to Bank Jugging Dangers

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...
9
Feb. 6, 2024

The Cost of Clicking: A Tech Support Scam Story

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...
8
Jan. 23, 2024

Breaking Down the Jury Duty Scam

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...
7
Jan. 9, 2024

New Year’s Resolutions: A Scammer’s Playground

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...
6
Dec. 26, 2023

Navigating the Maze of Government Scams

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...
5
Dec. 12, 2023

Scam-Proof Your Holidays: Essential Safety Tips

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...
4
Nov. 28, 2023

When the Call Isn’t Real: Unveiling Grandparent Scams

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...
3
Nov. 19, 2023

Beware: Tech Support Scams Unveiled

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...
2
Nov. 5, 2023

Unmasking Charity Scams: Protecting Your Holiday Generosity

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 ...
1
Oct. 16, 2023

From Trust to Deception: Understanding the Scammer’s Game

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...