Google Maps Scams

Google Maps Scams

Most people are not thinking clearly when they need a locksmith or a plumber. They are locked out, water is leaking, something broke, and they just want somebody nearby who can fix it. So they open Google, tap one of the first businesses that comes up, and assume the listing is real. Unfortunately, that is exactly the kind of situation scammers count on. In this episode, Mike Blumenthal, co-founder and analyst at Near Media, talks about fake local business listings and the ways bad actors have learned to game Google Maps. Mike has been following this problem for years, going back to the early days of map spam, when locksmiths were creating fake listings all over major cities. We learn how listings can look legitimate with complete addresses, phone numbers, and reviews without actually existing. We also talk about what regular people can actually do about it. Mike explains why it helps to keep a short list of trusted local businesses before an emergency happens, and what to watch for if you do have to search online at the moment. A generic phone greeting, mismatched company names, fake-looking reviews, or an unmarked truck can all be warning signs. Show Notes: * [1:08] Mike Blumenthal shares how losing his family business led him into SEO, local search, and eventually years of work focused on Google Maps and local digital marketing. * [3:47] Early Google Maps abuse showed up in a big way when locksmiths created thousands of fake listings across Manhattan to capture emergency service calls. * [6:28] Fake listings can work especially well on mobile because Google's local results often favor businesses that appear to be physically close to the person searching. * [9:13] Map spam creates real harm for legitimate businesses and consumers, including in a recent plumbing case tied to millions of dollars in alleged consumer losses. * [12:04] Consumers can protect themselves by checking more than one platform, looking for consistent branding, and being cautious when hiring emergency service providers. * [15:22] Reports can be made to Google, the FTC, or state attorneys general, but fake listing problems are not always fixed quickly or easily. * [18:46] The Premier Plumbing case shows how troubling the problem still is, with thousands of fake listings allegedly created despite years of known abuse in local search. * [21:37] Real local businesses should not depend entirely on Google and need to build direct customer relationships through email, text, repeat service, and trust. * [24:42] Small customer service details, from professional arrival to respecting someone's home, can make a major difference in whether people trust and recommend a business. * [28:04] Pressure-based reviews can mislead consumers, especially when customers feel pushed to leave positive feedback or mention specific employees by name. * [31:24] Review volume alone does not prove a business is trustworthy because reviews can be fake, pressured, incentivized, or difficult to judge at a glance. * [33:19] Stressful emergencies make people more vulnerable to scams because they are trying to solve an urgent problem quickly and may not stop to verify the business. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Mike Blumenthal [https://blumenthals.com/blog/about-mike-blumenthal/] * Near Media [https://www.nearmedia.co/]

Job Recruiter Scams

Job hunting is hard enough without having to stop and ask whether the recruiter in your inbox is even real. My guest today, Jay Jones, ran into that problem firsthand after being laid off in December 2023. With his daughter due to be born just weeks later, Jay began receiving messages from recruiters that looked promising at first, but quickly turned out to be fake. Jay, also known as The Profiler, decided not to ignore what was happening. He started investigating the patterns behind these scams and has since identified and helped remove thousands of fake profiles, fraudulent companies, and deceptive job postings from LinkedIn. His work now helps job seekers, businesses, and executives understand how fake recruiters operate and how much damage these scams can do. In this episode, we discuss how fake recruiting scams work, why public resumes and the "Open to Work" banner can make job seekers easier targets, and what red flags to watch for before responding. We also talk about fake background checks, resume-writing scams, equipment-check schemes, one-way interview risks, fake applicants, and practical ways to verify opportunities before sharing personal information. Show Notes: * [0055] Jay Jones introduces his work as The Profiler and explains how he helps companies and job seekers protect themselves from fake recruiters, fake jobs, impersonation, and online risk. * [01:23] Jay shares how being laid off in December 2023 led him to LinkedIn, where he quickly realized many of the recruiters contacting him were not real. * [02:20] Fake recruiters often outnumber legitimate outreach because scam operations have dedicated teams sending generic messages around the clock. * [03:23] The goal behind many fake recruiter messages is to collect personal data, steal money, or gather enough information to impersonate someone. * [06:00] Scammers layer different tactics together, including fake background checks, resume-writing referrals, equipment-check scams, and fraudulent vendors. * [07:40] The "Open to Work" banner can make job seekers easier targets because it signals vulnerability and invites unsolicited outreach. * [08:36] Checking your inbox can quickly expose a fake recruiter who claims to have received an application you never actually submitted. * [10:16] Job seekers need to stay vigilant by treating each opportunity as potentially risky until they can verify the recruiter, company, and posting. * [11:06] Red flags include minimal connections, no company-related posts, no digital footprint, and recruiter profiles that only seem to exist on LinkedIn. * [12:01] Email domains matter, especially when someone claims to work for a major company but contacts you from Gmail, Outlook, AOL, or another unrelated address. * [13:26] Scam operations can involve people and organizations across multiple countries, with different levels of sophistication depending on the type of scheme. * [14:44] Legitimate recruiters are paid by companies to find candidates, not by job seekers through resume-writing side businesses or upfront fees. * [16:09] Engagement pods and fake online credibility can make scammers look more legitimate than they are by inflating likes, comments, and followers. * [17:16] Fake job postings often include copied descriptions, formatting errors, unrealistic salaries, conflicting remote-work details, or buried instructions to email outside the platform. * [18:42] Requests for credit checks or background checks before an interview or offer are major warning signs, even though some legitimate jobs may require checks later in the process. * [19:21] Fake interviews can be used to collect personal information, record a candidate's face or voice, or gather intelligence about a previous employer. * [20:53] Fake job offers often move unusually fast, rely only on email or chat, and may include equipment-check schemes designed to steal money and card information. * [22:14] Asking detailed questions about benefits, recent hires, or company procedures can disrupt scammers because they often rely on prepared scripts. * [23:36] Companies also face fake applicants, especially in technical and engineering roles where scammers may be trying to gain access to systems or data. * [25:13] Anyone who has shared sensitive information with a fake employer should freeze their credit, set up alerts, and consider whether their phone number or personal data has been compromised. * [26:18] Using a dedicated job-search email and a separate phone number can create a safer barrier between recruiting activity and personal information. * [27:17] Jay describes why he began reporting fake profiles and job postings, and why he expected platforms to take the problem more seriously. * [29:25] Jay discusses his ongoing friction with LinkedIn over fake job postings, scraped positions, and shell operations that insert themselves into the application process. * [31:33] Jay shares his own experience with identity theft after discovering that a credit card had been opened in his name when he was young. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * The Profiler [https://www.theprofiler.org/] * Jay Jones - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesdoyoucopy/] * Jones, do you copy? [https://jonesdoyoucopy.wordpress.com/]

Bail Bonds Scams

Getting a call that someone you love has been arrested is scary enough. Getting that call from someone who sounds official, knows just enough to seem credible, and says you have to send money right away is exactly the kind of moment scammers are counting on. Julie Henderson is the president of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association and has spent 24 years working in the bail bond industry. She started in the field almost by accident after applying for what she thought was a legislative assistant job, and she has stayed because she cares about helping people get through one of the most stressful situations a family can face. In this episode, Julie explains what is really happening with bail bond scams, how scammers are finding people so quickly, and why these calls can feel so convincing. We also learn what a legitimate bail process should look like, what families can do to verify whether someone is actually in jail, and why no one should be rushed into sending gift cards or app payments. She also shares simple ways to prepare before something happens, including using a family password and knowing where to report a scam if one of these calls comes in. Show Notes: * [01:51] Julie Henderson explains what bail bondsmen do, how the process works in North Carolina, and why a bondsman's job is to help ensure clients return to court. * [04:00] Bail bond scams have increased sharply, with scammers often targeting people who recently had contact with law enforcement. * [07:16] Common scam tactics include fake ankle monitor fees, gift card demands, urgent threats, and claims that someone will be moved into a dangerous part of the jail. * [10:55] Legitimate bail agents should answer questions calmly, provide ways to verify the situation, and allow families time to make decisions. * [13:51] Fake case numbers, badge numbers, and license numbers can sound convincing, so independent verification is essential. * [16:09] Taking five or ten minutes to verify the facts will rarely affect whether someone can be released. * [18:15] Public jail records, apps, and online information may help scammers find arrest details quickly. * [21:42] Bail bond scams are likely underreported because victims may feel embarrassed or believe nothing will be done. * [23:30] A personal family scam story shows how realistic and emotionally convincing these calls can be. * [26:53] Education, patience, and clearer communication can help families recognize scams before they send money. * [29:45] Scam reports should go to the FBI, Internet Crime Complaint Center, state attorneys general, and any agency being impersonated. * [32:47] Legitimate payment methods vary, but pressure to send gift cards, Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal should raise immediate red flags. * [35:00] Advice includes trusting your gut, slowing down, and verifying the situation before handing over money. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Julie Henderson - North Carolina Bail Agents Association [https://ncbaa.com/author/jhenderson/] * Julie Henderson - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-henderson-558760324/]

Confessions of a Fraudster

Technology keeps changing, but many of the most effective scams still come down to something very human: trust. My guest today is Tony Sales, co-founder of We Fight Fincrime and Underworld TV. Tony has a perspective most people in fraud prevention will never have. Earlier in his life, he was involved in organized financial crime and was once described in the UK press as Britain's greatest fraudster. After years in that world, and after serving time in prison, Tony made the decision to use what he knew to help stop the very crimes he had once been part of. Today, Tony works with financial institutions, governments, law enforcement, and major organizations to help them better understand fraud, social engineering, money laundering, and cybercrime. In this conversation, he explains why criminals are often so effective at exploiting human behavior, why security training can miss the real-world ways scams unfold, and why friction is not always a bad thing when it helps protect people from devastating losses. We also talk about the role of leaked data, call center scams, deepfakes, banking safeguards, and why consumers and organizations both need to think differently about fraud prevention. Tony's message is direct: criminals adapt quickly, and if we want to defend against them, we need to understand how they think. Show Notes: * [01:25] Tony Sales shares his background as a former UK fraudster and explains how he now works through We Fight Fincrime to help people understand money laundering, online safety, and human vulnerability. * [03:04] Tony describes being drawn into crime as a child, beginning with small thefts before gradually moving into sponsorship scams, credit card fraud, and cloned debit cards. * [06:10] After getting caught for identity theft and spending years as a fugitive, Tony explains how prison and seeing the impact on his family became a turning point in his life. * [08:35] How organized crime operates like a business, with different people handling IDs, fraud schemes, fake watches, mortgage fraud, and professional connections. * [11:40] Why criminal networks rely on trusted introductions, insulation, and layers of separation to protect the people at the top. * [14:30] Tony explains how criminals adapt in the moment, use confidence to avoid suspicion, and often rely on talking their way out of situations instead of escalating them. * [18:20] The difference between how criminals and security professionals think, including why criminals are not limited by the same rules, checklists, or assumptions. * [21:35] Tony discusses how childhood experiences, ADHD, and a lack of structure contributed to the way he viewed rules and boundaries. * [24:00] Social engineering is not always dramatic or technical; Tony explains how believable stories, ordinary behavior, and quick adaptation can be more effective than elaborate tactics. * [26:45] How call center scams combine scripts with salesmanship, emotional pressure, and real-time responses to keep victims engaged. * [29:33] Tony explains why leaked data remains valuable for criminals and how even a name and phone number can be enough to build a convincing attack. * [31:43] The conversation turns to personal and organizational protection, including Tony's belief that people need to "patch" the human operating system. * [34:20] Why fraud awareness training often fails when it is boring, generic, or disconnected from people's everyday consumer lives. * [36:16] An example of a bank adding friction to an international wire transfer, and Tony explains why friction can protect people from major losses. * [38:30] Tony discusses the tension between fast, frictionless transactions and stronger safeguards that may slow people down but reduce fraud risk. * [41:03] AI, deepfakes, and impersonation scams raise new challenges, but Tony emphasizes the importance of live verification and using common sense. * [43:24] What consumers should understand about bank security, shared responsibility, and why no system can remove every risk. * [46:00] Everyday data requests, such as hotels asking for passport copies, can create long-term privacy and fraud risks if that information is mishandled. * [47:48] Tony discusses online safety, young people, and why banning access to social media may create new vulnerabilities instead of solving the underlying problem. * [50:15] Why learning from former criminals, hackers, and people who understand real-world attacks can help organizations defend themselves more effectively. * [52:30] Tony explains why companies need more security talent, stronger resources, and boards that understand the scale of modern fraud and cybercrime threats. * [54:32] Tony shares where listeners can find him online and learn more about We Fight Fincrime. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * We Fight Fincrime [https://wefightfincrime.com/] * Tony Sales - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sales-8311932a/] * Underworld TV [https://underworld.tv/] * The Big Con: How I Stole £30 Million And Got Away With It [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Tony-Sales/dp/1913406393]

Personal Safety

Scams and safety threats don't always announce themselves. Sometimes they start quietly, with a moment of distraction, a strange feeling you ignore, or a situation that shifts just enough to test whether you're paying attention. My guest today is S. Gale Bleth, a personal safety educator, certified RAD self-defense instructor, speaker, and author of Aware: A Personal Safety Playbook for Leaving the Nest. Gale brings a deep background in crime prevention and safety education, including 16 years at Cal State East Bay and 16 years as a crime prevention specialist with the Hayward Police Department. Personal safety is not about walking around scared or suspicious of everyone. It is about giving yourself a few simple habits to fall back on when something feels off, so you can pause, read the situation, and decide what to do next. We talk about Gale's AWARE method, the idea that most safety starts with education, and the small choices that can matter more than people realize: putting the phone away in a parking lot, noticing exits when you walk into a building, and trusting that uneasy feeling instead of brushing it off. Gale also explains what makes someone a useful witness, why details matter, and how awareness can help without turning everyday life into something fearful. Show Notes: * [01:00] S. Gale Bleth shares how her career began in higher education, where she worked with student organizations, supported campus events, and discovered her interest in teaching and training. * [03:10] A campus safety role led to RAD self-defense training, which eventually became a major part of Gale's work and helped shape her approach to personal safety education. * [05:28] How children's safety training has evolved, including the continued importance of stranger awareness and helping kids recognize uncomfortable touch. * [07:00] The meaning behind Gale's AWARE method: Alert, Watch, Assess, Respond, and Escape. * [09:36] A practical example of how the AWARE method can help someone assess risk in a social setting and decide whether to stay or leave. * [13:10] Why people need to trust the feeling that something is off instead of dismissing their instincts or ignoring their surroundings. * [15:00] Cooper's color code of awareness explains the difference between being unaware, casually alert, actively concerned, and forced to respond in danger. * [18:00] Education plays a major role in personal safety because it helps people avoid freezing or panicking when something unexpected happens. * [19:45] The importance of knowing escape routes in public places, especially at concerts, restaurants, theaters, and other crowded locations. * [22:13] What it looks like when someone's behavior does not match the setting, and why that can be a signal to pay closer attention. * [24:30] How to balance awareness with basic kindness when interacting with people who may seem unstable, angry, or unpredictable. * [27:58] Confident body language, voice, and boundaries can help people protect themselves before a situation escalates physically. * [28:33] Why phones create vulnerability in parking garages, airports, travel settings, and other places where attention matters. * [31:45] The AWARE method can become an everyday safety habit that helps people notice, assess, and respond with more confidence. * [33:01] Being a good witness can be more helpful than trying to be a hero, especially when law enforcement needs clear details. * [35:10] Gale explains how to practice observing people, vehicles, direction of travel, clothing, and other details before an emergency happens. * [37:20] Specific details such as tattoos, accents, clothing, weapons, or which direction someone ran can make a witness report much more useful. * [39:34] Vehicle descriptions, license plates, cameras, and direction of flight can all help investigators connect important pieces of information. * [42:33] Gale shares where listeners can find her online and learn more about Aware: A Personal Safety Playbook for Leaving the Nest. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ]