[Ep. 37] This DMV scam is costing people thousands

[Ep. 37] This DMV scam is costing people thousands

An audience member named Todd got a text saying he owed the California DMV $160 and his license was about to be suspended. One problem: he hadn't lived in California for over ten years. So he sent it to Kurt with a simple question, is this real? What Kurt found hidden inside that one text reveals exactly how the scam works, and the five red flags that give it away before you ever tap the link. What You Will Learn This Episode: * How to spot the one detail in the phone number that proves the text is fake * Why the real DMV will never contact you about a violation by text * What actually happens in the 48 hours after you fill out that fake form * The reason replying with a single letter makes everything worse * How to verify a real DMV notice in under a minute, the safe way * What to do the moment you realize you tapped a scam link * How to block, report, and scrub your info so the texts finally stop Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 36] The bank scam stealing your family's savings

Scam calls are emptying retirement accounts faster than ever, and the scammers behind them aren't who you think. This true crime look at financial fraud could protect your retirement and your family's future.Kurt sits down with Darius Kingsley, JPMorgan Chase's head of scam prevention, to pull back the curtain on the global operation behind those calls, and exactly what you can do to stop it.This is not just another scam alert. It's an inside look at organized criminal networks using forced labor compounds in Southeast Asia, psychological manipulation, and bank fraud to target everyday families. And it's happening at record levels right now.Darius reveals how scammers operate, what JPMorgan's fraud alert systems are detecting in real time, and the steps every family should take before a scam call ever comes through. Whether you've already lost money or want to protect someone in retirement you love, this conversation could save a family's future.What You Will Learn in This Episode:- How scammers coach your family member on exactly what to say before they ever walk into the bank- Why that "law enforcement" call might actually be coming from a forced labor compound in Southeast Asia- What bank tellers are secretly trained to watch for that can stop a scam before the money leaves- How to add a trusted contact to your bank account so the bank can alert someone you trust- What red flags signal that a family member is being targeted by scammers right now- Why acting in the first minutes after a scam is critical, and what your very first call should be- How to file a report with the FBI's IC3 and why it matters more than you might think Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 35] Mother arrested after a Facebook post about dirty water

When Jennifer Combs saw sewage-colored water pouring from her neighbors' faucets in Trinidad, Texas, she did what any good neighbor would do: she spoke up online. She made a Facebook post to gather information from residents who were silenced from speaking up about their water concerns. Days later, two officers arrested her in her own front yard on a felony charge for "causing public panic." Jennifer Combs is a mom of four who'd never even had a speeding ticket. What unfolds next, a fired water clerk, a fired judge, and the real person who made the call to have her arrested, is so unbelievable that Jennifer Combs, a published crime thriller author, says she couldn't have written it herself. What You Will Learn This Episode: - Why speaking up on Facebook about a local problem can suddenly turn you into a target - What to do when your Facebook posts are mass-reported and deleted to silence you - How a small group can quietly control a town and punish anyone who pushes back - Why reporting a problem to the state matters when local officials won't act - The truth about who actually ordered Jennifer's arrest, and why - How retaliation against critics can backfire in shocking ways - What real courage looks like when standing up for your community gets you punished - Why staying silent isn't the safe choice you think it is Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 34] Is that Social Security email in your inbox real?

Candace almost clicked a button that would have handed scammers her Social Security number, bank credentials, and her entire identity. The email looked completely official, but one tiny detail didn't add up, and Candace paused just long enough to forward it to Kurt. In this episode, Kurt walks through the actual email Candace received, breaks down exactly why it almost worked, and gives you five specific things to check before you ever click another link from a government address. What You Will Learn This Episode: * Why fake SSA emails are so convincing and what makes them different from the real thing * The single red flag in Candace's email that exposed the whole scam * What actually happens to your device the moment you click that download button * How scammers use your answers on a fake form to call your bank and pretend to be you * Why you might not find out you've been scammed until weeks or months later * How to check any email address in five seconds to know if it's really from the government * The five steps Kurt uses to verify any official-looking email before taking action * What antivirus software can actually stop, even if you accidentally click Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to ⁠⁠https://cyberguy.com/podcast/⁠⁠ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 33] Is your insurance app tracking you right now?

Jan emailed Kurt with a question most of us have never thought to ask: why does her insurance app need her location, her health data, and her movement… all day, every day.  Turns out, modern insurance apps have quietly turned your phone into a surveillance device, using something called telematics to measure every mile you drive, every step you take, and how well you sleep at night. And in some cases, they're not just collecting that data, they're selling it. Kurt walks you through exactly what these apps are harvesting, why insurers want it, and three specific steps to keep your discount without handing over your entire digital life. What You Will Learn This Episode: * How insurance companies use your phone to silently track your driving, health, and daily routines without most people realizing it * Why tapping "allow" during a simple app setup may be the most expensive mistake you make this year * The difference between car insurer tracking apps and health insurer wellness apps and what each one can actually see * How a lawsuit revealed that one major insurance app sold 45 million Americans' driving data without their knowledge * How to change your iPhone or Android location settings right now to stop all-day background tracking * How to find and revoke the health data your insurance app is quietly pulling from Apple Health or Google Health Connect Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.