For most people, figuring out how our credit score is calculated is a black box. Learning what impacts your credit score gives you flexibility to change it. Here are twenty ways you are ruining your credit. 

Today’s guest is Steve Snyder. Steve is an author, speaker, and one of the top personal finance commentators in the country trained by the Fair Isaac Corporation, the firm that created the score that credit reporting agencies use to calculate a consumer’s credit worthiness. FICO Score is widely recognized as the industry standard for lenders. Steve has been quoted in the US News World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The Washington Post, and many others. 

• [1:03] - Welcome to the podcast, Steve! Steve describes what he does in his career and what got him interested.
• [2:43] - Steve recovered from bankruptcy in less than eight months and realized that most people have no idea how to manage their credit.
• [3:34] - The biggest mistake is not knowing that you have three credit scores.
• [4:50] - The three scoring companies from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• [5:41] - Not all lenders report to your credit reports which is why scores can be different.
• [8:05] - There’s a system in place to correct things that are wrong with the large scoring companies.
• [9:01] - Most people purchase the wrong scores. Most of the scores you are bombarded with online are fake.
• [10:43] - Steve explains why the vantage score was created and why your FICO score is more important.
• [12:01] - Debts going to collections, late payments, judgments, liens, bankruptcies, high utilization, negatively impact your credit.
• [13:51] - Steve explains how shopping for cars and mortgages shows up as multiple inquiries on your credit.
• [15:50] - Most people don’t realize that they have a utilization sweet spot.
• [17:05] - No utilization can be bad for your credit score as well. You can have too much or too little.
• [19:01] - Having a credit card is the first step. Using it is the second.
• [21:45] - Your credit history goes back longer than just recent months and years.
• [23:35] - You never want to randomly close credit accounts even if it is an unused card that you’ve had for a long time.
• [24:40] - Never fight about your credit on your credit reports. If you have an issue, take it to small claims court.
• [27:41] - Most people do not understand how credit works because we are not prepared early in life.
• [29:21] - Steve is not going to ever risk his perfect credit scores by co-signing anything even with his own children.
• [32:00] - Co-signing student loans can be detrimental.
• [34:11] - It is wise to freeze your children’s credit until they are ready to use it.
• [35:26] - Steve explains the meaning of “thickening a thin credit file.”
• [37:46] - People think that because they make a lot of money that money will take care of everything else.
• [39:25] - Allowing collections to show on your credit is a huge mistake but is easily rectified.
• [40:51] - Steve explains the difference between a charge off and a settlement.
• [42:00] - Too many credit inquiries lowers your score but will also “spook lenders.”
• [43:16] - You could be paying off the wrong things. Your credit score is heavily weighted on your personal credit balance.
• [45:01] - Business and personal finances should be separate.
• [46:55] - No interest business credit cards are a great way to get started, but you have to be disciplined with a real business idea.
• [49:25] - The best time to apply for credit is when you don’t need it. Don’t wait for the emergency.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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There are methods used to influence us to either buy or do something. We may even be persuaded to participate and only later on wonder how they got us to join. It is beneficial to know these seven principles that compel us to react. 

Today’s guest is Dr. Robert Cialdini. Dr. Cialdini is an author and keynote speaker as a leading expert on influence and persuasion. His books are published in 44 different languages and have sold over 7 million copies. He’s a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling author. He’s also been elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. 

• [1:10] - Dr. Cialdini got into this field because he was easily persuaded in the past.
• [3:05] - Incognito, Dr. Cialdini answered as many ads and training programs he could get into to see how advertisers convinced people to buy.
• [4:40] - In his research, he found that there are seven principles to persuasion.
• [5:44] - The first principle is the principle of reciprocation. This is present in every culture.
• [6:57] - First someone gives you something and then you feel obligated to give back.
• [9:03] - Chris shares an experience at a restaurant to receive something for free that actually required him to do something first.
• [11:37] - Is something genuinely giving you something or trapping you into compliance?
• [12:19] - The second principle is the principle of “liking.” You will be influenced more by those who you like.
• [13:48] - One way to get people to like us is to give them something which ties right into the principle of reciprocity.
• [16:12] - Step back from the situation and separate the salesperson from what he or she is offering.
• [17:18] - The next principle is the principle of social proof. If a lot of people are choosing or favoring something, it seems like something you should do, too.
• [18:28] - We recognize when there are fake reviews. 5 star reviews generally make us skeptical.
• [21:04] - Dr. Cialdini describes a study done in McDonald’s that boosted sales of one menu item by 40%.
• [24:48] - The next principle is similar to social proof and decreases someone’s uncertainty. It is the principle of authority.
• [25:58] - The problem with assuming someone is an expert is the appearance of actors and influencers being paid to promote.
• [27:34] - Ask yourself, “Is this person an authority on the topic at hand?”
• [28:32] - Also ask if the person is being unbiased in their testimonial.
• [30:19] - The next principle is the principle of consistency. 
• [32:01] - Dr. Cialdini shares why he no longer signs petitions. The pressure to be consistent can motivate us to do things we don’t want to do.
• [35:28] - Sometimes sales sites will list an item or booking that there are only two left at this price and list a number of people also looking at the listing.
• [37:38] - We don’t know all the time if something is legit.
• [39:55] - Dr. Cialdini added a seventh principle to his book called the principle of community.
• [41:17] - Dr. Cialdini demonstrates how this works with a personal example.
• [43:11] - Be wary of promotions within your “tribe.”
• [44:12] - Some companies will ask for collaboration to create unity and produce customer loyalty.
• [47:09] - Dr. Cialdini shares a story about letting people into one’s house.
• [50:55] - Check out Dr. Cialdini’s website for a Harvard article to help prevent digital attacks on your organization or business.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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Criminals feel safe to hide behind the internet. They hire people and train them to be effective salespeople with the goal of taking your money. Let’s look at a few ways to do our due diligence to be sure that who you are working with online are who they say they are. 

Today’s guest is Ken Gamble. Ken is a professional investigator, corporate security specialist, and cybercrime expert with 33 years of experience working for individuals and multinational corporations. He is the co-founder and executive chairman of IFW Global that conducts fraud investigations, asset tracking, fraud recovery, disruption and  prevention of global cybercrime, monitoring enforcement actions to protect and recover assets for worldwide clients. He is the current Australian chairman of the International Association of Cybercrime Prevention, a non-profit association founded in Paris in 2006. Ken is an accomplished surveillance specialist and former surveillance advisor contractor to a commonwealth government agency in Australia and a consultant to numerous law enforcement agencies in the US, Asia, and Europe as well as several foreign governments.

• [1:23] - Ken shares his background and international experience.
• [2:41] - In his career, Ken has worked in all sectors of investigation.
• [3:50] - What inspired Ken to get into this field? The internet.
• [6:00] - International crimes are very complicated to pursue which has made crime on the internet so impactful.
• [8:01] - Although challenging, it is possible to track people down by following a digital footprint and mistakes. 
• [9:39] - The type of work Ken does is very high-end.
• [10:47] - Ken has worked for foreign governments and government officials for many high-end cases.
• [11:37] - Following the money doesn’t lead to the scammer. Ken describes other methods to track the location of criminals.
• [13:05] - A lot of success comes from informants and whistle-blowers.
• [13:55] - Sometimes people work in a call center not knowing that they are working for a scam organization.
• [15:02] - This is a male-dominated industry, specifically young men.
• [17:06] - Although these criminals are ruthless, they are well spoken, polished speakers and are generally very charming.
• [18:03] - Craigslist is often used to attract job applicants.
• [19:37] - Criminal organizations are extremely manipulative to those who come to realize that the operations are wrong.
• [22:38] - A big red flag is talking to someone and not ever seeing them either in person or on a video chat.
• [24:25] - Do your due diligence and research who you’re talking to. 
• [26:54] - Criminal organizations train employees through very well rehearsed scripts.
• [29:23] - The number one red flag is that criminal organizations are not regulated firms.
• [30:52] - Cryptocurrency is a big trend in scams currently.
• [33:18] - There are a lot of new challenges with cryptocurrency fraud.
• [35:22] - Cybercrime organizations are extremely sophisticated.
• [36:55] - Many organizations have mastered moving funds to other countries that won’t cooperate with law enforcement.
• [38:29] - Being able to reveal who the criminals are leads to a better chance at asset recovery.
• [40:02] - If Ken can identify a criminal and freeze accounts, it worries them. Paying back a client is how they can get out of their predicament.
• [41:18] - Some countries are more favorable to the victim and others are not.
• [42:37] - Ken now takes the media along to busts to expose criminals and educate the public.
• [44:09] - Financial crime is devastating to the victim.
• [46:50] - Criminals sometimes feel extreme guilt but they justify their actions.
• [51:15] - If you want to invest in something, ask for second opinions and do your due diligence and research.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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Surveillance cameras and other student monitoring tools are becoming more and more common in schools today. Laptops are distributed to the students and software is installed on them for their own protection, but it is important to know what is being done with the data collected outside of classroom use and if your students or your own privacy is being invaded. 

Today’s guest is Jason Kelley. Jason is the Associate Director of Digital Strategy at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, focusing on how privacy and surveillance impact digital liberties. Before joining EFF, Jason managed marketing strategy and content for a software company that helps non-programmers learn to code, and advertising and marketing analytics for a student loan startup.

• [0:53] - Jason describes his current role at Electronic Frontier Foundation.
• [2:32] - Big tech companies who offer devices to schools collect data from them.
• [4:17] - Physical surveillance has increased due to the continuous problem of school shootings.
• [6:01] - Surveillance cameras can be accessed directly by local police. Jason explains how this can be controversial.
• [8:34] - Jason and Chris discuss the reason for using school-issued devices only for education purposes.
• [9:53] - Surveillance cameras do have blind spots. Facial recognition also has some issues.
• [11:03] - When devices are provided, parents, young people, and even administrators don’t always know the capabilities.
• [12:22] - Jason shares an example of one of the pitfalls of student monitoring apps that are on school issued devices.
• [14:07] - Schools can take screen captures from issued devices which isn’t done out of malice but does raise questions about privacy.
• [15:12] - We have to choose which is more important: safety or privacy.
• [16:37] - Students and parents need to know that school issued devices have features that will impact privacy.
• [17:32] - Jason describes some of the differences between the types of alerts school administrators receive.
• [19:12] - Sometimes software blocks things that are safe and doesn’t block things that could potentially be inappropriate.
• [20:50] - Teachers cannot have their eyes on every student’s computer at all times and often rely on software to help.
• [22:04] - Teachers shouldn’t be expected to know how surveillance software works.
• [23:01] - Jason describes a recent problem at Dartmouth with Canvas logs.
• [26:27] - This issue at Dartmouth was very serious and could have impacted the students’ careers drastically.
• [28:21] - There is an epidemic of misunderstandings of technology.
• [29:24] - EFF offers guides for students on what to do and expect with school-issued devices.
• [30:42] - There have been a lot of successful petitions in recent years about data tracking in universities. Parents have some leverage here as well.
• [33:00] - Sometimes, there’s not anything you can do about student surveillance.
• [34:20] - The Covid-19 pandemic made things very challenging as students needed access to education remotely very quickly.
• [36:50] - Jason describes some of the features of remote proctoring programs.
• [38:33] - This vastly impacted thousands of students who took the BAR exam.
• [40:36] - EFF has been pushing back on proctoring and Jason explains a recent win.
• [42:18] - Jason is hopeful that the pandemic has made it more clear where technology fails us.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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The term “gaslighting” is becoming more commonly used as people come to understand the psychological impact. It is important to identify the techniques used by someone to maintain an unhealthy relationship so you can avoid it or change it. 

Today’s guest is Dr. Deborah Vinall. Dr. Vinall is not only a licensed marriage and family therapist, but also a doctor of psychology. She is a certified trauma therapist that uses EMDR and brain spotting. Dr. Vinall is the author of Gaslighting: A Step by Step Recovery Guide to Heal From Emotional Abuse and Building Healthy Relationships. 

• [1:18] - Dr. Vinall explains why she wrote her recent book as gaslighting is something a lot of people experience but don’t understand.
• [2:42] - What is gaslighting? Dr. Vinall gives an example.
• [3:18] - Gaslighting can happen anywhere and with anyone.
• [4:06] - There are different types of gaslighting that range from fully calculated to more defensive in nature.
• [5:01] - Many people exhibit gaslighting at some point in their lives, but patterns are when things get problematic.
• [6:19] - Insecurity is one reason many people tend to gaslight.
• [7:29] - What are some signs for pattern gaslighters?
• [8:22] - Pattern gaslighters are often very charming in public but are much different behind closed doors.
• [10:00] - What is “normal” and what is problematic? Look inside and see how you feel around this person.
• [11:03] - Dr. Vinall gives tips on how to manage situations where it is a co-worker that you can’t make a break from.
• [12:53] - When confronted, pattern gaslighters may dismiss accusations or could “fly off the handle.”
• [13:49] - In relationships, gaslighters tend to move very fast.
• [15:22] - In cases where relationships are deeply connected, Dr. Vinall suggests reaching out to a lawyer. She also discusses the impact of violence escalation.
• [18:02] - There is a distinction between occasional gaslighting and chronic pathological gaslighting.
• [19:39] - Try some different strategies in the workplace and think of an exit plan in case a change is needed.
• [21:12] - Journaling is an excellent tool to help you release and sort through your thoughts and can also be used later to confirm to yourself that you are not crazy.
• [22:58] - A red flag of gaslighting is someone trying to pull you away from your support system and external relationships.
• [24:11] - It’s important to grieve the loss of a relationship and all the things that go with it.
• [25:26] - Notice your self-talk. You can start internalizing the negative talk that you hear from someone who gaslights you.
• [27:19] - Being a gaslighter may be difficult to overcome as there’s something deeper going on and you must want to heal.
• [28:07] - Take your time in a relationship and listen to your intuition.
• [29:49] - Figuring out your boundaries for those in your life who you don’t want to cut out.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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Home technology can be hacked. Anything from a coffee machine or LED light to a TV or a doorbell. We understand the risk of being vulnerable on our tablets and phones, but you’ll be shocked to realize how much data is collected from our other smart devices and how those very same devices can lead to a much wider compromise. Many of us don’t even know how many devices are on our connected networks, so we better listen up.

Today’s guest is Amanda Fennell. Amanda is the Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Officer at Relativity. In her role, she is responsible for championing and directing their tech and security strategies including risk management and compliance practices. She has a Master’s degree in Forensic Science and over 15 years of experience in Forensics and Cyber Security. 

• [1:12] - Amanda explains Relativity, her roles in the company, and how she was drawn to this field.
• [3:35] - Many people assume Amanda has all the new and greatest technology but knowing the risks of exploitation, she is selective.
• [4:25] - There are a multitude of devices that people don’t even realize they connect to their network.
• [5:23] - Because of the sheer volume of devices, hackers can do a sweep and use the information gathered.
• [6:32] - The number one security problem is keeping things up to date.
• [8:16] - Amanda walks through the simple steps of hacking smart devices.
• [9:40] - Amanda demonstrates how hacking something seemingly inconsequential can lead to accessing more.
• [11:23] - You need to know what’s connected to your network. You have more than you think.
• [12:41] - Surprisingly, there are connected lightbulbs that people sacrifice security for ease of access.
• [14:02] - When guests come over and you share your password, did you take their access back?
• [15:15] - Amanda is a big fan of segregating your network. She describes what this means.
• [16:29] - How can you segregate your network?
• [18:08] - Amanda suggests using WireShark.
• [19:39] - Many people hang on and use old routers because they still function, but most are not supported with updates after just a few years.
• [21:18] - It is also common practice to use identifying information as passwords and device names.
• [22:33] - Even Direct TV can be hacked. How can this be used against you?
• [23:30] - Amanda shares an investigation and how she used a printer spool file.
• [25:06] - Medical devices, printers, and copiers can be hacked.
• [27:29] - Amanda describes the differences between two security companies and what she advises doing to stay secure.
• [31:40] - How can you implement ongoing monitoring and detection in your home network?
• [33:52] - Implement updating devices into your monthly or weekly routine.
• [36:03] - You can do a scan on your network and even ask a friend for help.
• [37:28] - Smart coffee and smart fridges seem simple but can be used for targeting phishing and even when you are leaving the house.
• [39:33] - Just making yourself a little less accessible could deter a hacker because others will be easier.
• [41:43] - Amanda shares how false donations were used in fraud.
• [43:25] - We all deserve to have our information private and secure but it also needs to be personally accessible. That’s the risk.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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Fear can cause people to hoard. Blockchain would allow transparency that could alleviate those fears. Understanding the trivergance of AI, IoT, and Blockchain can transform your thinking even for those resistant to change. 

Today’s guest is Don Tapscott. Don is one of the world’s leading authorities on the impact of technology on business and society having authored 16 widely read books, including the global bestseller Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the World, now translated into 20 different languages. He is currently Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute, an Adjunct Professor at INSEAD, recently a two-term Chancellor of Trent University in Ontario and Member of The Order of Canada.

• [1:22] - Don shares his professional background, career, and work as an author.
• [2:55] - The Blockchain Research Institute researches how industries are affected by blockchain technology.
• [4:41] - Don and Chris think back to the earlier days of the internet.
• [7:02] - This new generation of technology represents a new paradigm.
• [8:04] - What is happening in Congress at the moment that could change everything about the industry?
• [11:35] - New paradigms create a crisis in leadership. Don’s life work has been to find leaders who embrace the shift.
• [13:12] - We view this current time as the second era of the internet. What is different from the previous era?
• [14:23] - We are moving from an internet of information to an internet of value.
• [15:21] - People hoard out of fear and this impacts supply chains.
• [17:09] - Blockchain can be a solution for health records. Many people consider it a problem due to lack of understanding.
• [18:25] - Blockchain gives people the control to manage their transparency.
• [20:29] - It takes time for us as a society to figure things out. What is the future of blockchain?
• [22:19] - Don is speaking at an event about the vision of how industries will be changed by blockchain.
• [24:43] - Don references years past when CEOs didn’t type because that was a secretary’s job. It took time to change and it will take time to make these changes as well.
• [26:06] - There are industries that will be very resistant to change.
• [26:51] - On the Blockchain Research Institute’s website, there are reports on various industries.

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At some point in our life we will encounter a cyber intrusion, either through somewhere we have done business or because we are targeted as an individual. It is important to know how to prevent identity theft as well as how to respond if you’ve already been compromised. 

Today’s guest is Adam Levin. As a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan School of Law, Adam Levin is a nationally recognized expert on cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance. He is an author and the former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Levin is the chairman and founder of Cyber Scout and co-founded Credit.com. He has been featured in the New York TImes, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and The Chicago Tribune. In addition to that, he has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, CNBC, MSN, and many others.

• [1:14] - Adam shares his background and education in law and politics.
• [2:29] - In 2003, Adam created an Identity Theft company that later became a global business called Cyber Scout.
• [4:49] - Adam believes that security breaches are a certainty of life these days.
• [6:35] - While hacking has been around for a long time, Adam shares how he got into the business of identity theft protection.
• [8:36] - Over time, insurance companies have come to be support in identity theft.
• [10:01] - Chris shares a scenario of a friend that had their identity stolen.
• [12:23] - Many victims feel like they were in the wrong when in reality they may not have done anything wrong at all.
• [13:56] - In recent years, the IRS has been a lot more proactive.
• [16:02] - What is Adam’s definition of identity theft?
• [19:01] - Adam explains why you should be vetting your vendor as well.
• [21:13] - There are four kinds of threat actors - state sponsored, for-profit, cause-related, and “because I can.”
• [23:29] - Social engineering is the most successful method of identity theft.
• [25:42] - Adam wrote the book Swiped and explains that there needs to be a new framework around mitigating the threat of identity theft.
• [26:32] - How do we minimize your risk of exposure? This is very difficult.
• [27:46] - Two factor authorization is extremely helpful in protection.
• [28:41] - Always verify that the person you’re speaking to is who you think they are.
• [30:12] - How can you monitor everything on your accounts and reports?
• [31:37] - One of the ways credit card numbers are sold on the dark web is by zip code which causes many banks to miss fraudulent use.
• [32:51] - The third “M” is to manage the damage. What can you do after an incident?
• [34:05] - Identity theft protection programs are relatively inexpensive.
• [37:01] - You can set the threshold for when you are notified. But you should choose to be notified of any purchase, even the really small ones.
• [38:50] - How do banks know when there’s a fraudulent charge?
• [40:38] - There are features where you can lock the use of your card before having to change account numbers.
• [42:33] - The best protector of your portfolios, including your identity, is you the consumer.
• [44:37] - Adam describes his new podcast called What the Hack.
• [50:23] - Remember that many people are not who they claim to be.

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We can sabotage ourselves by the way we prioritize our day by not differentiating between the urgency of emails and getting distracted or manipulated by the media. Today’s guest is David Kadavy. David is the author of the books Mind Management, Not Time Management, The Heart to Start, Design for Hackers, and multiple short reads. David is a self-published coach and the host of the podcast Love Your Work. David has spoken in multiple countries and has been featured in The Overserver, The Huffington Post, Upworthy, and Life Hacker. 

• [1:02] - Welcome to the show, David! David explains what he does in the writing field.
• [2:50] - Chris admits he is a master procrastinator and tends to spend his time doing tasks that are not as important as others.
• [3:45] - David explains how he divides things up by mental state.
• [5:57] - A way to avoid emails that don’t need attention right away, David uses a program called Boomerang.
• [7:38] - David demonstrates how open loops apply to click-bait.
• [8:56] - The looming possibility of urgent emails can waste energy.
• [10:10] - David keeps his phone on do not disturb and uses the favorites feature.
• [12:22] - The news and media can be a huge distraction. 
• [13:10] - If the media captures your attention, it is not a mistake. We are attracted to negativity.
• [15:47] - You don’t need to know everything that is going on every single moment of every single day. But it is hard not to get sucked in.
• [18:10] - The immediate availability to communication creates urgency that hijacks your attention.
• [19:30] - The first person that should get your attention is yourself.
• [21:00] - As you start prioritizing different things, people may stop demanding your attention immediately.
• [22:23] - David lives in Columbia and the cultural values are much different there than in the United States.
• [25:19] - People in different countries may look at time differently as well.
• [28:33] - People also tend to change how they think about time.
• [30:03] - If there is a specific set of steps to complete a task, AI can do it. But human creativity is missing.
• [32:27] - David describes a typical writing day for him and how he manages his mind.
• [35:01] - David explains the science behind why morning grogginess is actually a prime state to be in for creativity.
• [38:29] - While resting, free association gets a chance to manifest.
• [41:15] - Arguing viewpoints on social media has become a priority for a lot of people.
• [44:50] - There’s so much fighting for our attention.
• [45:55] - David shares the titles and brief description of his books linked below.
• [48:01] - kdv.co is shared as an opportunity to download a free writing toolkit.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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Gifted pick-pocketers can use social engineering skills to choose their victims. Many times as we travel, we may not realize that our body language makes us an easy target. 

Today’s guest is Chris Kirsch. Chris is the CRO and co-founder of Rumble. With a background in product marketing and technical mindset, he has helped formulate go-to marketing strategies at PGP, Rapid7, and Veracode. In 2017, he earned the black badge for winning the social engineering capture the flag competition at DEFCON. He has a passion for InfoSec, OSINT, and is a volunteer advisor for the National Child Protection Task Force.

• [1:05] - Welcome Chris! Chris shares his background.
• [2:20] - Chris co-founded Rumble, an asset discovery company to help clients secure their network.
• [3:48] - Pick-pocketers are masters of misdirection.
• [6:34] - Chris explains why he got into the social engineering side of DEFCON.
• [8:18] - When in Paris, Chris’s father was pick-pocketed which prompted him to start researching.
• [11:18] - After meeting a magician at a convention, Chris then became interested in open-source intelligence (OSINT).
• [11:51] - Chris defines the difference between the two schools of thought on pick-pocketing.
• [13:29] - Some pick-pocketers can steal without interacting with people while others utilize social interactions.
• [15:31] - Chris shares in more detail the story of his father being pick-pocketed.
• [17:38] - This experience showed Chris and his family a way that teams of people can work together to fool a target.
• [20:03] - There are some unusual laws that limit consequences for theft.
• [21:50] - Chris shares tips on where to place your wallet when traveling and demonstrates a scenario.
• [25:18] - Escalators are areas where pick-pocketing teams can be very successful.
• [28:17] - Placing your hand in your pocket to intentionally keep your belongings safe might actually make you a target.
• [30:31] - When something else is on your mind, you are an easy target. It is hard to always be aware.
• [33:19] - Chris uses an example of a phishing scam that demonstrates social engineers move you from rational thinking to emotional.
• [36:20] - Many people take these scams personally when in reality, scammers have no idea who you are.
• [38:27] - Chris references a documentary from the point of view of a social engineering target.
• [40:51] - Darren Brown on YouTube and Netflix has several videos and shows that demonstrate the psychology of many scams and manipulation.
• [43:59] - The sample you are seeing is what the person wants you to see.
• [45:12] - Chris gives actionable steps to take when feeling suspicious.
• [47:09] - Chris describes a time when he was able to use social engineering strategies that would have been shot down if the target had done something simple.
• [49:21] - For the “long con” scammers, Chris has advice about trust.
• [51:42] - Search for Kirsch Identity Fraud and you find free resources on identity theft.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

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