Getting scammed has nothing to do with how smart you are — in fact, believing you're immune is the biggest vulnerability of all. In this first episode, host Mark Sullivan breaks down the 7 red flags hidden inside almost every scam ever run, so you can identify a scammer no matter what disguise they're wearing. Backed by data from the FBI and the FTC, and grounded in real, reported cases, this is your foundational field guide to spotting fraud before it costs you. No jargon, no fear-mongering — just clear warning signs you can use today to protect yourself and the people you love.

In this episode: why older adults are the #1 target for fraud, the "ticking clock" trick scammers use to shut down your judgment, the four payment methods that instantly reveal a scam (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, and cash apps), why a scammer always tells you to keep it secret, and exactly what to do if it's already happened to you.

Note: Online Scams has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, website, or app mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• FBI / IC3 — 2025 Internet Crime Report & elder fraud figures. Americans 60+ reported more than $7.7 billion in losses; more than 201,000 complaints from victims over 60; ~8,600+ government impersonation complaints from senior victims; investigator quote "almost anyone can be a victim… these guys are just that good"; example of DEA impersonation call. FBI: "Scammers Target Older Adult Victims," fbi.gov/news/stories/scammers-target-older-adult-victims
• FTC — Protecting Older Consumers report & Consumer Sentinel data. People 50+ reported ~$4.3 billion lost (roughly double younger adults); older adults more likely to lose money to tech support, prize/sweepstakes/lottery, romance, and government impersonation scams; rise in $100,000+ losses. ftc.gov press releases (Dec 2025) and aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fbi-ftc-report-2025-losses
• FTC — "The three lies" impersonation framework. (1) Someone is using your accounts (fake bank/Amazon); (2) your info is being used for crimes (fake government); (3) there's a security problem with your computer (fake Microsoft/Apple alert). Losses over $100,000 rose roughly eight-fold from 2020 to 2024. FTC press release, Aug 2025, ftc.gov
• Crypto / payment method losses. Cryptocurrency scams affected 42,000+ older victims with ~$4.3 billion in losses; phishing and spoofing most commonly reported. bitdefender.com / FBI IC3 2025 data
• Pig butchering — Joe Novak case. A friendly Facebook message from a stranger cost him $280,000. stateofsurveillance.org (citing reporting on pig-butchering cases)
• AI voice cloning teaser (Sharon Brightwell case — for Episode 2). Florida mother lost $15,000 in July 2025 to an AI-cloned voice of her daughter; scammers need only ~3 seconds of audio; ~1 in 4 surveyed experienced or knew someone affected. American Bar Association (americanbar.org); WFLA/BECU reporting; McAfee survey via InvestigateTV
• Reporting resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consumer.ftc.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).