Easy Prey

Chris Parker
  • 4.7 (31)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Chris Parker, the founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, interviews guests and tells real-life stories about topics to open your eyes to the danger and traps lurking in the real world, ranging from online scams and frauds to everyday situations where people are trying to take advantage of you—for their gain and your loss. Our goal is to educate and equip you, so you learn how to spot the warning signs of trouble, take quick action, and lower the risk of becoming a victim.

  1. 12h ago

    Drink Spiking

    A drink can be out of your sight for only a moment, but that may be all it takes for someone to tamper with it. Spiking can happen in bars, restaurants, festivals, and even among people who already know and trust each other. It also goes far beyond alcohol. Drinks, food, vapes, cigarettes, and other substances can be altered without someone's knowledge, leaving them vulnerable before they fully understand what is happening. Dawn Dines has spent more than 20 years working to change how people understand and respond to spiking. She is the founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, a UK charity focused on education, prevention, training, and better safeguarding practices. Her work has helped bring spiking into the public conversation and pushed for stronger laws, better training, and more support for people who have experienced it. Dawn talks about the experiences that led her into this work and what she has learned from victims over the years. She explains some of the signs that a person may have been spiked, why it can be so difficult to know exactly what happened, and what friends or staff can do when someone suddenly seems far more intoxicated than they should be. She also shares practical ways people can look out for each other while still going out and enjoying themselves. Show Notes: [00:44] Dawn Dines shares how her 20-year campaign against spiking helped push for changes to UK law. [02:18] Spiking can involve drinks, food, vapes, cigarettes, and even needles, not just alcoholic beverages. [04:27] Dawn recalls two frightening experiences while traveling that showed her how easily someone could be drugged without their knowledge. [07:32] She explains why she continued campaigning despite years of resistance and how public pressure helped bring greater attention to the issue. [10:41] Spiking affects both men and women, and Dawn describes how widespread the problem has become around the world. [13:37] Victims may struggle to understand what happened, especially when friends or family assume they simply drank too much. [16:35] Dawn explains how quickly symptoms can develop and why getting to a trusted person immediately can make a difference. [19:54] Education can help hospitality workers, security teams, and the public recognize when someone's behavior changes suddenly. [23:06] Victim blaming, embarrassment, and memory loss are among the reasons many incidents are never reported. [26:58] Bars and restaurants can reduce risk through staff training, drink covers, safety information, and clear procedures for helping customers. [28:41] Dawn discusses the growing awareness of spiking and why cooperation across countries, venues, and law enforcement matters. [31:48] Witnesses, security footage, recovered substances, and quick reporting can all help investigators build a case. [34:18] Dawn encourages people to stay vigilant and look out for one another without allowing the threat of spiking to stop them from enjoying their lives. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Dawn Dines - LinkedIn Stamp Out Spiking

  2. Aug 12

    Love, Lies and Locked Up

    What sounds like the plot of a crime thriller was Sharon Armstrong's real life. An online romance drew her into an elaborate web of lies involving overseas contracts, invented emergencies, and several people playing carefully planned roles. By the time she arrived at an airport in Argentina with five kilograms of cocaine hidden inside her suitcase, she still believed she was carrying business documents for the man she loved. Sharon was arrested and spent more than two years in an Argentinian prison before returning home without a conviction. During that time, she had to confront the truth of what had happened and find a way to forgive herself. She later wrote about the experience in her book, *Organized Deception*. Today, she is an author and international scam awareness advocate who works to educate the public, support survivors, and challenge the shame that often keeps victims silent. In this episode, we talk about how the criminals built trust so quickly, why warnings from loved ones can be difficult to hear, and how organized scam networks use kindness and personal values against the people they target. Sharon also explains why she no longer says she "fell for" a romance scam. She was deliberately targeted by sophisticated criminals, and she believes the attention belongs on those who planned the deception rather than on the person they harmed. Show Notes: [01:12] Sharon begins the story of moving to Australia and unexpectedly being signed up for an online dating site. [03:36] A convincing introduction quickly develops into an intense romance with someone claiming to be an engineer. [04:52] The first request for money tests the trust that had already been built through a carefully fabricated story. [06:18] The scammers introduce new characters and create a plan for Sharon to travel to London through Argentina. [09:07] Family concerns grow as the relationship begins to take priority over the people who had always mattered most to her. [11:34] A suitcase supposedly carrying business documents arrives after Sharon has spent a confusing week alone in Argentina. [13:21] Airport officials discover five kilograms of cocaine hidden beneath the lining of the suitcase. [15:46] Sharon describes surviving the first days minute by minute before spending two and a half years in prison. [18:09] Criminals study a target's values, kindness, history, and online presence to create a story that feels deeply personal. [20:58] A dramatization of Sharon's story shows how organized manipulation can gradually change someone's behavior and relationships. [23:16] Her experience as a probation officer did not protect her from grooming that closely resembled techniques she already understood. [25:07] More than 7,000 messages over five months reveal the intensity of the communication and how difficult it was to recognize from inside the relationship. [28:13] Healing begins when Sharon decides to forgive herself rather than continue carrying shame for what the criminals did. [30:04] Denial can become a safe place when accepting the truth feels more painful than continuing to believe the story. [32:08] Public humiliation adds another layer of trauma after details of Sharon's arrest are released to the media. [34:27] Each day in prison begins with a choice to move toward happiness rather than allow the experience to make her bitter. [37:52] Writing, speaking publicly, and sharing her story become important parts of rebuilding her life. [40:09] Sharon rejects the phrase "fell for a scam" and explains why victims should be described as people deliberately targeted by organized criminals. [42:18] The title Organised Deception shifts attention toward the people who intentionally planned and carried out the crime. [43:17] Victim blaming can make people feel safer because it allows them to believe the same thing could never happen to them. [46:02] Sharon believes being arrested may have saved her life and kept her from being trafficked through an even more dangerous country. [48:34] Families increasingly reach out for help as they recognize the seriousness of romance scams and look for ways to support someone they love. [50:01] Sharon shares how listeners can connect with her through Stand Up 2 Scams and learn more about Organised Deception. [51:37] A reminder that scam victims are not alone and that the shame belongs with the ruthless criminals who targeted them. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Sharon Armstrong Organised Deception  Stand Up 2 Scams - Facebook

  3. Aug 5

    The Recruitment Trap

    Everybody is searching for ways to increase income. Unfortunately, MLMs often look like an easy way to start a business without taking on the cost of a traditional company. The pitch sounds simple. Buy the product, follow the plan, and put in the work. The numbers behind those promises often tell a different story. Today's guest, Stacie Bosley, has spent years studying what really happens inside MLMs. She is a professor at Hamline University in Minnesota and holds a Ph.D. in applied economics. Her research covers multi-level marketing, consumer protection, income claims, and pyramid scheme fraud. She has also served as an expert witness in cases involving the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. We talk about what separates an MLM from a pyramid scheme or a Ponzi scheme. Stacie explains why these opportunities attract smart and motivated people. We'll learn about the role of recruitment including those hidden expenses and fake or misleading success stories. We also learn questions people should ask before investing their money and time in any business opportunity. Show Notes: [01:03] Stacey explains how her background in applied economics led to research on multi-level marketing, pyramid schemes, and income misrepresentation. [03:22] Early experiences in rural Wisconsin and changes in retail and internet commerce sparked an interest in how people pursue business opportunities. [05:07] Pyramid schemes rely on a pay-and-recruit structure that mathematically leaves most participants with losses. [08:57] Adding a legitimate product does not change the underlying structure when profits still depend primarily on recruitment. [10:33] Ponzi schemes generally use investment language, while pyramid schemes tie a participant's compensation directly to recruiting others. [12:38] Products, demographics, religious communities, and other affinity groups can shape how MLM opportunities are marketed. [16:17] Reward-responsive people may be attracted to the recognition, status, and sense of competence these opportunities promise. [19:47] Anyone considering an MLM should define what they hope to gain and examine their realistic chances of reaching that goal. [22:53] The appeal of a turnkey "business in a box" can cause people to skip the research they would normally do before starting a business. [25:32] Earnings often look far worse after product purchases, training costs, conference fees, and other expenses are deducted. [28:13] Companies making income claims have a responsibility to explain what participants typically earn and spend. [31:02] Disclaimers such as "results not typical" do little to correct exaggerated success stories or earnings claims. [34:08] MLM losses can affect finances, relationships, social connections, and a participant's sense of personal worth. [37:12] Limited time, money, and energy can be diverted into opportunities that fail to improve a family's financial situation. [40:03] A company may be operating as an MLM regardless of its chosen label if participants earn from the activity of recruited sellers. [42:22] Important questions include the typical startup cost, ongoing expenses, earnings, profitability, and participant retention. [44:23] Claims that unsuccessful participants simply quit or failed to work hard can be used to dismiss troubling outcome data. [46:12] Encouraging sellers to recruit their own competitors conflicts with basic principles of supply and demand. [48:03] A large number of local sellers may be presented as community support even though it can indicate market saturation. [49:47] Resources such as Stacey's TED Talk, Truth in Advertising, and her published research can help people investigate these opportunities. [50:59] A reminder to look beyond the sales pitch and ask what people actually earn after expenses. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Stacie Bosley - Hamline University Stacie Bosley - LinkedIn

  4. Jul 29

    Convincing Deepfakes

    A familiar voice on the phone or a recognizable face on a video call used to offer some reassurance that you knew who you were dealing with. AI has changed that. Voice cloning, face swaps, and real-time video impersonation now allow scammers to convincingly pose as executives, job candidates, romantic interests, or even family members. Understanding how these attacks work and where they may be headed is a central part of Tom Cross's work as Head of Threat Research at GetReal Security. Tom has spent more than 30 years studying cybersecurity threats, software vulnerabilities, and the methods attackers use to exploit technology. Before joining GetReal Security, he held leadership roles at IBM X-Force, Lancope, and Drawbridge Networks, and he has shared his research at major security conferences including Black Hat and DEF CON. His current work focuses on deepfake-enabled social engineering and the development of tools that can detect digital impersonation, including signs that are often too subtle for a person to recognize. In this episode, we learn how little audio is needed to clone someone's voice, why live video is no longer reliable proof of identity, and how deepfakes are being used in romance scams, investment fraud, identity theft, and remote hiring schemes. We also talk about AI agents that can carry on persuasive conversations, adjust their behavior based on a victim's reactions, and repeat those tactics on a massive scale. The discussion offers a revealing look at why familiar advice for spotting fakes is quickly becoming outdated and what individuals and organizations will need to do differently as the technology improves. Show Notes: [01:05] Tom shares how his early work in vulnerability research led to a career studying sophisticated cybersecurity threats. [03:32] Running a bulletin board system as a teenager helped spark an enduring interest in hacking and computer security. [06:11] A look back at early online communities, text-based games, Fidonet, and the pre-internet era. [09:36] The conversation shifts to deepfake research and the technology being developed to detect manipulated media. [11:29] Deepfakes are divided into audio, visual, file-based, and real-time forms, each creating different risks. [15:20] Modern voice clones can fool both people and biometric authentication systems, making specialized detection increasingly important. [18:30] Virtual backgrounds and other subtle processing artifacts may reveal manipulation even when nothing looks obviously wrong. [20:31] Deepfake detection has become another cybersecurity arms race as attackers continually improve their methods. [22:30] Romance scams, investment fraud, remote job schemes, and identity theft are among the growing uses of deepfake technology. [25:26] Scammers succeed by exploiting desires, expectations, and the human tendency to rationalize warning signs. [27:56] Large-scale phishing and business email compromise attacks only need a small percentage of targets to respond. [29:22] Criminal compounds in Southeast Asia use trafficked workers and deepfake tools to conduct scams on a massive scale. [30:27] North Korean remote workers may use stolen identities and shared deepfake personas to secure jobs at American companies. [33:45] Purpose-built criminal software combines face swapping with appearance-enhancing features designed for romance scams. [35:05] Common visual tests for identifying deepfakes are becoming unreliable as the technology advances. [39:24] Emotional investment makes detection even harder because people often explain away signs that something is wrong. [40:47] Building authentication into the internet could help people determine whether digital content is genuine. [42:13] AI agents may soon conduct automated scams that respond naturally, apply pressure, and adjust to a victim's behavior. [45:14] Automation could allow criminals to target hundreds of thousands of people while making impersonation increasingly convincing. [46:22] Machine learning may create self-improving scams that test countless variations and concentrate on the tactics that work. [49:18] AI lowers the technical barrier to cybercrime by helping people create tools they could not build on their own. [51:06] Phones and messaging platforms may eventually require stronger controls as automated calls and texts become more common. [53:09] Digital signatures, watermarks, and verified content could help distinguish malicious deepfakes from authorized uses. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest GetReal Security Tom Cross - LinkedIn

  5. Jul 22

    When Trust Becomes a Trap

    Most people use technology all day without giving much thought to what is happening behind the screen. We trust routers that may not have been updated in years, depend on internet systems few of us understand, and now turn to artificial intelligence for everything from travel plans to home repairs. That convenience comes with tradeoffs. In this episode, we look at the weaknesses built into our connected world and what happens when our technical knowledge fails to keep pace with the technology surrounding us. Sherrod DeGrippo leads threat intelligence for Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks, where she oversees teams working to identify and respond to increasingly complex cyber threats. During more than two decades in information security, she has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft and Proofpoint, along with positions at Nexum, Symantec, Secureworks, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Sherrod was named Cyber Security Woman of the Year in 2022 and regularly shares her expertise at industry conferences and through outlets including BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The New York Times. She is also the author of *Threat Driven Software Development: Defending Modern Online Services*. We discuss how outdated home routers become tools for criminal and nation-state attacks, what could happen as technical knowledge disappears, and why foundational internet systems may be more vulnerable than people realize. Sherrod also explains why the greatest danger from AI may not be a dramatic technological disaster, but the gradual loss of human connection as people choose frictionless answers over real conversations. Along the way, she shares practical examples of where AI genuinely helps, where its limits become obvious, and why slowing down still matters when emotion or urgency begins driving a decision. Show Notes: [01:48] Sherrod introduces herself and traces her 23-year career from government network security to threat intelligence. [03:00] An early lesson in buffer overflows sparked a lasting interest in both hacking and protecting systems. [05:10] Growing up around AT&T gave Sherrod firsthand experience with telephone networks, copper lines, and beige boxing. [08:17] Technology has shifted from something people opened and explored into consumer devices few people truly understand. [11:24] As technical knowledge disappears, the people who understand how systems actually work are becoming increasingly rare. [13:41] Older internet users often understood where their data traveled, while today's devices constantly communicate in the background. [16:22] Network security remains critical because once malicious traffic reaches a device, the problem has already become much larger. [17:57] Outdated home routers provide an attractive attack surface for criminals and foreign governments. [20:12] The conversation turns to the fragility of DNS, internet protocols, and the systems supporting the global network. [22:13] Chris shares his experience with denial-of-service attacks and seeing legitimate online services exploited by malware. [25:48] Sherrod explains why AI's greatest danger may be the gradual loss of human relationships rather than a dramatic physical threat. [29:23] AI works well for tedious tasks, but human connection, creativity, and judgment should not be handed over so easily. [31:35] Living intentionally means deciding what experiences matter instead of allowing technology or other outside forces to decide for us. [34:10] Frictionless technology may leave people more vulnerable to scams by training them to expect immediate and effortless results. [35:33] Social engineering uses modern tools, but manipulation, espionage, and theft have existed for thousands of years. [38:14] AI may eliminate certain jobs while also giving people more time to focus on customers, relationships, and other human-centered work. [40:44] A furnace repair shows how AI can guide basic troubleshooting and reduce the need for some professional diagnostic visits. [43:08] AI can help someone become competent in many areas, but having access to it does not make anyone an expert. [45:44] Used intentionally, AI can remove unwanted planning and create more opportunities for people to spend time together. [47:18] Strong prompts, detailed skill files, and personalized instructions may become more valuable than traditional prompt engineering. [49:10] A gift card scam demonstrates how fear and urgency can push someone to ignore repeated warnings from others. [51:30] Sherrod advises pausing whenever a strong emotion begins driving an unusual financial or personal decision.  Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Sherrod DeGrippo Sherrod DeGrippo - LinkedIn Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 Threat Driven Software Development: Defending Modern Online Services

  6. Jul 15

    Scam Compounds

    When most people think about online scams, they picture criminals sitting behind a screen and stealing from victims around the world. But in Southeast Asia, many of the people sending those messages are victims too. Some were promised legitimate jobs, flown across borders, trapped inside guarded compounds, and forced to scam others while trying to survive.  In this episode, I talk with Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the Center for Contemporary Chinese Studies Asia Institute. After years of studying labor rights, civil society, and Chinese investment in Cambodia, Ivan's work led him to the online scam industry and the cybercrime compounds that have spread across Southeast Asia. He is the co-author of Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds, and through the EOS Collective, he and his colleagues also help support people who have been trafficked into these operations. I talk with Ivan about how small scam operations grew into large compounds, why COVID helped the industry expand, and how fake job offers are used to recruit people from around the world. We also talk about the blurred line between victim and criminal, the local economies that grow around these compounds, and what happens when people escape or are left stranded without money, documents, or a safe way home. Show Notes: [01:27] Ivan Franceschini explains how his academic background in China studies and labor rights eventually led him to research scam compounds in Southeast Asia. [04:39] Early scam operations in Cambodia started as smaller setups in villas, apartments, and hotels before expanding into large, organized compounds. [07:53] COVID becomes a major turning point as isolation, financial desperation, and new technology help the online scam industry grow rapidly. [10:42] The industry expands beyond Chinese-speaking networks and begins recruiting people from many countries, including large numbers from Africa. [13:29] Criminal groups, businesspeople, local elites, and trafficking networks all play different roles in keeping the scam compound industry running. [15:50] Fake job offers are used to recruit people from abroad, with many victims believing they are traveling for legitimate work in customer service, teaching, sales, or other fields. [18:19] Recruiters use believable salaries and convincing explanations to lure people who may be desperate for work or unfamiliar with the region. [21:43] Many trafficked workers are not highly trained scammers, but poor or vulnerable people who are taught scripts, given tools, and assigned small parts of the scam process. [24:05] Language barriers are no longer a major obstacle because scammers can use translation tools, AI tools, and backstories that make mistakes seem believable. [26:40] Scam compounds become embedded in local economies through guards, cleaners, restaurants, construction workers, delivery services, and other support jobs. [31:22] Getting out of a compound can involve paying a ransom, escaping physically, or risking a message to an embassy, family member, NGO, or government official. [33:40] Some trapped workers are able to ask for help online, but contacting authorities can also be dangerous if local police alert the compound operators. [35:17] Crackdowns in Cambodia have left many people stranded without money, valid visas, housing, or a safe way to return home. [37:27] Survivors released from compounds may end up sleeping on the street, begging for food, and trying to find help while facing fines and deportation barriers. [40:14] Survivor support often means meeting immediate needs such as food, basic medical care, and flights home for people who have nowhere else to turn. [41:29] Ivan explains that sanctions and enforcement need to consider the human beings inside the industry, not just the money and criminal networks behind it. [42:49] Survivors often have valuable information about trafficking networks, scam techniques, and specific operations, but that intelligence is lost when they are abandoned. [45:15] Verifying survivor stories requires interviews, embassy coordination, compound maps, cross-checking details, and recognizing that victim and criminal roles can overlap. [48:53] Ivan shares where people can find his book, Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds, and learn more about the EOS Collective's work. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Ivan Franceschini - LinkedIn Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds EOS Collective

  7. Jul 8

    Sports Betting

    Sports betting is everywhere now. It is in the commercials, on the apps, wrapped into game broadcasts, and sold as a fun way to make sports more exciting. But behind the easy sign-ups and "risk-free" offers is an industry built on odds most people do not fully understand, fine print that can cost real money, and a business model that depends on customers losing. In this episode, I talk with Danny Funt, an investigative reporter and the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. His reporting on sports betting, politics, news, and sports media has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Columbia Journalism Review, and other publications. Through his work, Danny has taken a close look at how legal sports betting expanded so quickly in the United States and what that boom has meant for everyday customers. I talk with Danny about misleading promotions, why "risk-free" bets are not always what they sound like, and how betting apps encourage people to remember their wins while downplaying their losses. Danny also explains why the customers who actually win can be limited or pushed away, while big spenders who lose heavily may be rewarded with VIP perks and personal attention. This episode is a closer look at the gap between the fun, harmless image of sports betting and the way the industry really works. Show Notes: [01:20] Danny Funt introduces his work as an investigative reporter and explains how his book, Everybody Loses, examines the rapid rise of legal sports betting in America. [03:57] A "risk-free" betting promotion turns out to be much more complicated than it sounds, leaving customers with bonus bets instead of a simple refund. [05:25] The fine print behind bonus bets shows how customers can still lose real money, even when the offer is marketed as safe or risk-free. [07:26] Legal sports betting has grown from a Nevada-based industry into a massive national business, with billions wagered every year across dozens of states. [10:00] Easy access through phone apps, constant advertising, and in-game micro bets have changed how people engage with sports and gambling. [12:21] Sportsbooks often highlight customer wins while downplaying losses, creating a distorted picture of how much money people are actually losing. [15:59] Misleading promotions and advertising claims make betting look like a real way to profit from sports knowledge, even though very few people win long term. [20:03] Customers who show signs of being skilled or profitable can be restricted or limited, which contradicts the message that anyone can win. [21:51] The difference between prediction markets and sportsbooks helps explain why sportsbooks care so much about who wins and who loses. [26:24] VIP programs for high-spending customers go far beyond casino perks, offering exclusive sports experiences and personal attention to keep people betting. [28:19] Personal relationships between VIP hosts and customers can blur ethical lines, especially when big losers are treated like valued friends. [34:17] Unlike bars that are expected to cut off visibly drunk customers, sportsbooks often have no clear requirement to intervene when betting behavior becomes dangerous. [37:14] State lawmakers are beginning to consider tighter regulation, but tax revenue and industry lobbying make meaningful reform difficult. [41:24] Industry insiders acknowledge the tension between protecting customers and maximizing profits, with many suggesting real change will require legislation. [43:37] Professional bettors and industry critics are pushing back by warning people how difficult it really is to win and how risky the current betting culture has become. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Danny Funt Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling Danny Funt - Facebook Danny Funt - Instagram

  8. Jul 1

    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 and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Mike Blumenthal Near Media

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4.7
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Chris Parker, the founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, interviews guests and tells real-life stories about topics to open your eyes to the danger and traps lurking in the real world, ranging from online scams and frauds to everyday situations where people are trying to take advantage of you—for their gain and your loss. Our goal is to educate and equip you, so you learn how to spot the warning signs of trouble, take quick action, and lower the risk of becoming a victim.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Parker
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    337
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Easy Prey