Easy Prey

Easy Prey

By Chris ParkerNewsTrue CrimeTech News
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Easy Prey episodes

  • Pet Scams with Jack Whittaker

    Once someone is emotionally invested in purchasing a new pet, it's easier to be manipulated and defrauded. We want to share ways that you can be sure not to get scammed. Today's guest is Jack Whittaker. Jack is a PhD candidate in Criminology with published works in the field of online fraud. He has presented at several fraud conferences as well as has done expert interviews for both national and international news outlets. Jack also helps run a voluntary counter fraud initiative called PetScams.com and occasionally teaches cybercrime awareness to school children.

    Show Notes:
    • [1:04] - Jack shares how he became involved with PetScams.com.
    • [2:00] - Pet scams are very unique to certain countries including the United States.
    • [3:25] - Pet scams originally come from Cameroon.
    • [4:46] - An offender will create a website and set up Google ads. They spend tons of money to start this sometimes with stolen cards and reinvestment.
    • [6:56] - There are fake sites listed on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to generate more traffic.
    • [7:59] - Victims of these scams tend to be people who are very vulnerable.
    • [9:32] - After the victim pays a deposit, the offender then contacts them as a fake shipping company to charge them more.
    • [10:44] - These scams are social engineering at its finest.
    • [12:04] - If the person building the website is skilled, legitimate websites can be copied as a fake.
    • [13:02] - For now, the best advice is to video chat with the breeder to see the pet. And even better than that, visit the breeder in person.
    • [14:20] - Chris shares the story of almost being scammed when purchasing a pet.
    • [15:30] - Scammers use an address they find of a property that is for sale somewhere. It has caused problems for the buyers of that home later.
    • [17:50] - International scams make things very tricky.
    • [19:54] - Jack explains the different kinds of money mules.
    • [23:32] - Once things are figured out, scammers have adapted. Offenders are always two steps ahead.
    • [25:10] - There is a minimum threshold for crimes to be looked into.
    • [26:12] - Non-refundable payment methods are a huge red flag.
    • [27:49] - Pet scammers often run other types of scams simultaneously and typically follow trends.
    • [30:01] - There are scams that target victims who are in a place where they will not report the crime for fear of their own arrest.
    • [32:14] - Jack describes the hierarchy of scams.
    • [34:08] - Some scammers also torment their targets.
    • [35:43] - Once someone is scammed, their information is shared to other scammers.

    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
    • PetScams.com
    • Pet Scams on Twitter
    • Pet Scams on Instagram
    • Scam Directory
    39 min
  • Dating Scams - What Are the Warning Signs? with Joe Eweka

    In today's society, online dating is common. But what are the warning signs that you may be targeted by a scammer? Today's guest is Joe Eweka. Joe is a criminal justice professional, security management specialist, project management professional, and the author of the book Confessions of a Lonely Lover: An Exploration of Online Dating Scams.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:40] - Joe shares his background as originally from Nigeria and attending college and graduate school in criminal justice and law in the United States.
    • [3:13] - Because of being long distance, Joe joined a social network to be able to better communicate with his brother and found himself in a scam.
    • [5:16] - Catfishing is another term for romance scams and Joe says they are the most dangerous.
    • [6:33] - One red flag is that the person you are speaking with tries to take your conversation off a dating app.
    • [8:13] - Scammers lie a lot and work in teams. Sometimes you may catch inconsistencies.
    • [9:00] - Watch the profile photo as well. If things look too good to be true, they probably are.
    • [10:20] - Be suspicious if you cannot find anything at all about a person.
    • [11:28] - Scammers often used borrowed text. Copy the suspicious text and paste it in a Google search.
    • [13:06] - Scammers avoid video calls.
    • [14:28] - Deep fake technology exists but is not commonplace in dating scams yet.
    • [15:35] - Strange steps in the process like money orders, money transfers, and the purchase of several gift cards are major red flags.
    • [16:34] - Do not accept friend requests from people you don't know on social media and never send money to them.
    • [17:47] - Joe advises using a computer to check links because you can hover your cursor over it to see the URL before you click. You cannot do this on a phone.
    • [18:50] - Don't assume that because you are the one to make the first contact that they are not a scammer.
    • [20:03] - If you use a dating app, limit your communication to just the app.
    • [22:10] - Do not rush and be sure to ask a lot of questions. Cut off all communication with anyone who seems suspicious.
    • [23:30] - If you are meeting someone in person, you should always meet in a public place and with other people you know.
    • [24:42] - Never go to another country to meet someone in person who you have never met before.
    • [26:35] - Always report scammers.

    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
    • Confessions of a Lonely Lover: An Exploration of Online Dating Scams by Joe Eweka
    29 min
  • Business Ethics with Scott Stratten

    No one enjoys being on the receiving end of a business that manipulates or pushes you into buying something. Good business is about relationships where you are authentic, engaged, and building trust. Today's guest is Scott Stratten. Scott is an author, podcast host, and an award winning keynote speaker. He is known for his energy, passion, knowledge, humor, and his man bun. His live and virtual presentations bring UnMarketing to life, energizing attendees, and creating experiences audiences will remember and learn from.

    Show Notes:
    • [1:30] - Scott's inspiration for starting UnMarketing was frustration. He explains his background and how he moved forward into entrepreneurship.
    • [3:58] - In business, Scott saw the "buy or bye" mentality and believes there's a better way.
    • [5:27] - It isn't about tactics. Strategies don't take into account the human factor.
    • [6:53] - "I'm going to say what I think and I'm going to say it without a filter." A lot of people are afraid of this for polarizing the market.
    • [8:13] - Scott shares the story behind the domain name for UnMarketing.
    • [11:01] - The kindness of the person who originally owned the domain name believed in Scott's brand.
    • [13:04] - Many companies continue to manipulate people to buy.
    • [14:04] - In marketing, if you lie, nobody knows.
    • [15:49] - Scott shares the story of catching a company in a lie.
    • [18:32] - The internet can't work in a way without trust.
    • [20:09] - In over 300 episodes across six years on the Unpodcast, Scott has never run out of material.
    • [23:31] - Business decisions must be ethical and Scott calls people out for unethical decisions in their business.
    • [26:31] - If you have the endless pursuit of more, you don't appreciate what you have now.
    • [29:38] - Scott has been presented with many opportunities but he couldn't serve too many audiences well and authentically.
    • [33:39] - There is a difference between what is legal and what is right.
    • [36:13] - A lot of companies believe they own their employees. Employees are an asset, not overhead.
    • [37:18] - Scott shares the story of an experience when consulting and a technique called Stop, Start, Continue.
    • [42:04] - After 20 years in this field, Scott continues to be shocked that people don't realize how they are supposed to treat others.
    • [45:01] - Scott recently revamped the UnMarketing website to better show what it is about and to ensure that it is presented authentically.
    • [46:29] - A newer phenomenon in business is that younger generations are coming in with better skills in tech.
    • [48:31] - Be wary of those who say something isn't working anymore because they are likely selling an alternative.
    • [49:27] - Scott personally responds to newsletter email responses and you can sign up for his email newsletters from UnMarketing.com.

    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
    • UnMarketing.com
    • UnPodcast
    51 min
  • Health and Wellness Scams with Natalia Petrzela

    With the new year, health, wellness, weight loss, and exercise programs will be in mass promotion. Just because someone looks good doesn't mean that what they're pitching is healthy or will even work. Watch out for unrealistic claims and results.

    Today's guest is Natalia Petrzela. Natalia is a historian of contemporary American politics and culture. She is also an author and podcast host. She is a frequent media guest expert, public speaker, contributor to international domestic news outlets, including New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN. She is an associate professor of history and holds a BA from Columbia as well as a Masters and PhD from Stanford.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:56] - Welcome to the show! Natalia explains what she does and how she has gotten into current trends in American wellness.
    • [2:42] - The way health has been looked at has changed drastically over the years.
    • [4:21] - American fitness culture is very focused on an all-or-nothing mentality.
    • [5:40] - Because wellness and fitness is commercialized in the United States, consumers are targeted to buy.
    • [7:02] - Natalia compares the current trend in intermittent fasting to the past trend of eating throughout the day.
    • [8:15] - Before the 1960s, there was very little research around exercise.
    • [11:01] - We equate appearance with health but not just anyone is an expert.
    • [12:32] - There are many people who take performance enhancing drugs casually that may make them appear as the picture of health.
    • [15:03] - Watch out for products being sold to you and extreme promises that are unrealistic.
    • [18:01] - It is so easy to become completely obsessed with health.
    • [19:39] - Many people say that their way is the only successful way to be healthy.
    • [21:33] - Natalia discusses the difference in income and careers that impact views on health and fitness.
    • [23:53] - Any type of extreme promises should be looked at with a great degree of skepticism.
    • [24:57] - The whole weight loss industry is predicated on the reliance that you will gain it back.
    • [27:41] - It is great that more people are exercising regularly, but now there's this pressure to sustain something that is stressful to maintain for many.
    • [29:53] - Natalia discusses gym memberships.
    • [31:04] - Be realistic about what you can start integrating into your day to day life.
    • [32:51] - There is a current trend in specialized exercise and fitness. Unless you love it already, be wary of signing on to just one type of fitness.
    • [36:14] - The pandemic has changed a lot of views on health and fitness and the availability of home exercise.
    • [38:01] - Just because something works for someone else, doesn't mean it will be right for you.
    • [39:53] - How much research can you really do when there are so many products and unqualified "experts" giving advice.
    • [42:04] - Our healthcare system is not currently set up for optimal health.

    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
    • Natalia Petrzela Web Page
    43 min
  • How to Travel Safely with Asher Fergusson

    Traveling can be a life-giving or a long lasting nightmare. Knowing what to research before you book your trip could have a significant impact on your experience and help you to be incredibly safe. Today's guest is Asher Fergusson. Asher has been traveling around the world since 2004 when he left Australia to study in the United States where he received his undergraduate and master's degrees. He has lived all over the globe, including in India, Europe, Hawaii, and the mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry and has been featured on CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, National Geographic, and many other publications.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:56] - Asher shares his background and how he got interested in travel.
    • [2:12] - On Asher's website, he started sharing travel safety tips and the site has grown.
    • [3:44] - You will run into issues regarding cleanliness in hygiene and water. This can affect your body but is avoidable.
    • [4:57] - Asher shares several tips on eating and drinking in other countries.
    • [7:27] - When visiting another country, street food can be dangerous.
    • [9:20] - Every country has different cultural norms regarding food, water, shelter, and safety.
    • [10:31] - One of the major topics of research for Asher is regarding LGBTQ travelers.
    • [12:01] - Research laws in other countries because you could actually be imprisoned.
    • [14:24] - Another thing to consider is the dress code, especially for women in very conservative countries.
    • [15:37] - Some tourists feel that following stricter rules is a violation to their rights, but it is safer to follow the country's laws and rules.
    • [17:17] - Americans tend to travel thinking that they don't have to prepare and they are above the law.
    • [19:01] - America is a phenomenon as each state has different laws, a large population, and a lot of diversity.
    • [19:58] - Westerners tend to be targets for theft. Asher shares some things that might make you stand out.
    • [23:17] - There are other scams, but they are all about money.
    • [25:25] - It is always safer to go to the official site or location to buy tickets to something.
    • [26:43] - Asher shares the list of the top 10 worst locations to travel to as a solo female traveler. Do your research about your destination ahead of time.
    • [28:22] - Don't be too nice. People might back off if you put up your boundaries.
    • [29:46] - When it comes to family traveling, accommodations are important.
    • [32:02] - Another hassle with traveling with kids in carseats and transportation upon your arrival.
    • [33:26] - Asher dug deep into Airbnb and customer horror stories.
    • [35:23] - Asher describes some of the issues found through this research.
    • [38:01] - It is probable that there is a money laundering scam happening in some listings and hacked accounts on Airbnb.
    • [40:56] - Never book a place with no reviews. The more reviews the better and only stay at the ones with a 4.8 or 5.0 rating average.
    • [43:17] - Look at all the properties listed by the same owner. Only stay with super hosts and make sure they have a verified ID.
    • [45:55] - Avoid the professional Airbnb landlords.
    • [46:46] - Only book with a credit card and if anything goes wrong, be sure to have photographic evidence.
    • [48:17] - Research is critical and real people's experiences are at your fingertips online.

    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
    • Asher Fergusson Website
    • Asher and Lyric on Facebook
    • Asher Fergusson on Twitter
    • Asher and Lyric on Instagram
    52 min
  • Call Center Scams with Ben Taylor

    Very few people fall for the Nigerian prince scam these days because it has been so well exposed. However, devious criminals keep looking for new ways to package their deception so it goes undetected. Today's guest is Ben Taylor. Ben is the creator of the popular YouTube channel Pleasant Green. His videos exposing various internet scams have been watched tens of millions of times. His goal is to help get scammers out of their current role not only by exposing the scam but by helping some of them find ways of providing for their families without cheating people.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:50] - Welcome to the show, Ben! He shares what he does through YouTube and his work to educate people.
    • [1:50] - Scam baiting is when you seek out scammers to waste their time.
    • [3:32] - Romance scams are extremely common right now.
    • [4:40] - Tech support and Amazon refund scams are also common.
    • [6:12] - The elderly are often targets, but people can also fall victim to a scam when they're distracted.
    • [7:42] - A lot of time scammers will ask you to verify your name or address. You should ask them to verify it.
    • [9:01] - Scammers typically use a script and if you get them off their game, they will move on.
    • [10:11] - There are countless call centers across the world.
    • [11:09] - Ben has interacted with scammers. Some realize they're doing something hurtful, but some justify it or think they deserve it more.
    • [13:18] - Through his YouTube channel, Ben explains that if scammers are so clever and smart to scam people, they can use the internet for good work.
    • [14:54] - Ben also looks into product purchasing scams.
    • [15:56] - Facebook doesn't crack down on product accuracy of ads.
    • [18:02] - When shopping online, especially from sites that are not as popular or credible, use PayPal as they have some security built in.
    • [20:00] - Reviews are important to look at closely.
    • [22:06] - Ben shares some interactions he's had with scammers and how he has asked them for help.
    • [23:24] - On YouTube, Ben has hired some scammers he's spoken with to help them realize that there are more honest ways to make money.
    • [26:03] - Using the story of Joel who he helped develop a photography skill, Ben helps people flip the script and help their community.

    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
    • Pleasant Green YouTube Channel
    30 min
  • How Secure is "In the Cloud?" with Randall Magiera

    Just because something is in the cloud, doesn't always mean that it is safe and secure and that you don't play a role in keeping it that way. Those who move into the cloud need to understand cloud security best practices and how to implement them.

    Today's guest is Dr. Randall Magiera. Dr. Magiera is a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience in security management, change management, risk analysis, intrusion prevention and detection systems, and vulnerability assessments. He has a doctorate of science in cybersecurity, multiple advanced degrees in cybersecurity and technology, and certifications too numerous to list.

    Show Notes:
    • [1:00] - Randall introduces himself and his background in the field.
    • [3:05] - Things regarding cloud technology have advanced greatly in the last 15 years.
    • [4:09] - These cloud companies do go to great lengths to keep things as secure as possible.
    • [5:16] - The shared responsibility model is important to understand.
    • [6:44] - Large cloud providers do offer some education on best practices to users.
    • [8:01] - Breaches are causing the public to place blame on large companies like Amazon and Google, but it is more related to users not being familiar with how to use the product.
    • [10:47] - A lot of the time, the goal is speed in developing a program, app, or product and security sometimes gets pushed aside.
    • [12:33] - Chris shares a funny story about crypto-mining.
    • [14:48] - Randall explains a recent crypto-mining code placed in a javascript library.
    • [17:50] - Chris and Randall discuss the Colonial Pipeline Attack.
    • [20:00] - A CDN is great for organizations with employees all over the world working in the same program.
    • [23:31] - Ideally, the goal is to have everything stored in the cloud rather than on devices.
    • [25:00] - Malicious actors are motivated by money and they will use the cloud in creative ways as a means to an end.
    • [26:53] - Randall believes that we will be seeing the use of deep fakes more often in coming years.
    • [28:50] - Cloud computing gives users virtually endless capabilities which means that people who are malicious can use them for advanced attacks as well.
    • [31:51] - Per terms and conditions, if you delete data, it is on you.
    • [34:04] - Once something is deleted from the cloud, it is gone forever.
    • [36:21] - Randall describes how AWS works regarding backups.
    • [38:18] - When it comes to disaster recovery, especially for businesses, there is an option for data backup that will create a quick turn around if something happens.
    • [41:51] - Always test your backups and DR.

    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
    • Dr. Randall Magiera on LinkedIn
    • Tulane University - Randy Magiera
    44 min
  • Freelance Scams: Red Flags and Warning Signs with Ricardo Fayet

    As a freelancer or someone who utilizes them, how can you spot an imposter from an actual business or genuine opportunity? Today's guest is Ricardo Fayet. Ricardo is the co-founder of Reedsy, a community of over 150,000 authors worldwide and a curated network of 1500 handpicked freelance professionals from editors, cover designers, illustrators, book marketers, and publicists. They help bring over 500 books to life every month. Reedsy was named Book Tech Company of 2015 by UK Trade Magazine. Ricardo has been invited to speak at the Frankfurt Book Fair, London Book Fair, and dozens of other writing and publishing conferences.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:57] - Ricardo shares his background and what Reedsy is all about.
    • [3:10] - There are other freelance websites that are very general. This means they are not very curated. But now there are other sites popping up that are more specific.
    • [5:28] - Asking about work experience is really important.
    • [7:14] - You must trust the platform you are looking for a freelancer on.
    • [8:36] - When hiring a freelancer, you need to treat it as a hiring process.
    • [9:48] - Illustrators and graphic designers are usually easy to hire because you can see their work and choose the style you like. Other jobs are harder to hire.
    • [11:02] - One scam is companies hiring freelancers rather than hiring full time employees to avoid paying for benefits.
    • [12:32] - If a platform guarantees a certain amount earned as a freelancer in the first month or two, doubt it and look at the fine print.
    • [13:39] - There's a tricky email scam that is designed to force you into creating a profile.
    • [16:28] - Create a profile, even if unused, to prevent other artists or freelancers from stealing the identity or your work. Well known platforms can also usually detect when there is a false profile.
    • [18:20] - Large platforms won't be able to investigate until there are victims who have negative experiences with a freelancer.
    • [20:01] - It is highly recommended to charge for services at the beginning of a project.
    • [22:20] - A lot of freelancers on many platforms do not live in the United States and if there is a problem, the legal process becomes almost impossible.
    • [24:00] - Platforms may charge a freelance fee which actually protects both parties.
    • [27:01] - As a freelancer, you are very much at the mercy of the clients and their banks.
    • [29:45] - You have to strike the right balance between solid contracts and trusting people.
    • [33:05] - Don't hesitate to say no to a contract if you feel like something is off.

    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
    • Reedsy
    • Ricardo Fayet on Twitter
    • Ricardo Fayet on LinkedIn
    35 min
  • 6 Basic But Effective Online Security Tips with Jordan Harbinger

    People who think they're too smart or savvy to get scammed are the perfect target for social engineering scammers. Today's guest is Jordan Harbinger. Jordan is a lawyer, speaker, entrepreneur, and educator. In addition to hosting the amazingly popular Jordan Harbinger Show, he is a consultant for law enforcement, military, and consulting companies, a member of the New York State BAR Association, and the Northern California chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:47] - Jordan introduces himself and describes his popular podcast that has been active for 14 years.
    • [1:35] - In the early 90s, as a middle schooler, Jordan discovered his interest in hacking and social engineering.
    • [3:50] - As time went on, Jordan began messing around with cell phones he found.
    • [6:17] - What really got Jordan interested in social engineering was listening in illegally on other peoples' phone calls for hours.
    • [8:14] - In these phone calls, he listened to "real drama."
    • [9:16] - Because of this, 13 year old Jordan realized that people are complex systems but can certainly still be reprogrammed.
    • [10:20] - Jordan shares a story of someone he listened to when tapping into phone calls and what he learned from it as a teen.
    • [14:47] - Manipulating someone who has a big ego or is narcissistic is one of the easiest triggers for social engineering.
    • [17:23] - The easiest people to manipulate are the ones who think they are too smart to get caught up in a scam.
    • [18:50] - As a teen, Jordan was always shocked at some of the things he tried that worked.
    • [21:16] - Imagine what older and more technically savvy adults could do if Jordan as a 13 year old could figure out so much.
    • [24:02] - Jordan and Chris reflect on how unsafe and naive society was in the 90s.
    • [27:40] - Getting scammed is one of the worst feelings ever.
    • [29:14] - Social engineering scams are very sophisticated these days.
    • [31:40] - You can still trust people, but you have to be careful. If you don't trust anyone at all, you'll be miserable.

    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
    • The Jordan Harbinger Show
    33 min
  • Scams Targeting Website Owners with Liz Eisworth

    When you own a business, your website represents you. Scammers can prey on your emotions for their gain by sending false claims of copyright infringement or even other lucrative opportunities that are fake. Knowing what to look out for prevents their negative impact on you and your business.

    Today's guest is Liz Eisworth. Liz is the founder of SangFroid Web Design specializing in web design, custom WordPress themes, SEO, and digital marketing. She works with businesses to understand all aspects of their website.

    Show Notes:
    • [0:50] - Welcome to the show, Liz! Liz shares her background and business in web design, online presence, and SEO.
    • [2:21] - Liz describes the common scams that target website owners, starting with domain slamming scams.
    • [4:18] - The reason this happens is because once you register for a domain, your information becomes public.
    • [5:40] - Domain slamming is not an outright crime, but it is certainly unethical.
    • [8:12] - In combination with other things, the length of time a domain name has been owned can be a red flag.
    • [9:30] - Social engineering can also take place with the registrar that your domain name is registered with.
    • [11:20] - It is easy for scammers to set up a fake and flimsy online presence.
    • [12:09] - Phishing scams are often submitted through contact forms on a business's website.
    • [13:36] - These phishing scams have gotten much more sophisticated in the last year and cause enough panic to have the owner click a dangerous link.
    • [16:07] - There are a lot of royalty free stock photo websites that you can find safe images to use on your website. This will help you avoid copyright infringement.
    • [18:26] - Chris shares an experience with registering a trademark that Liz confirms is very common.
    • [20:20] - Liz describes the third party payout scam.
    • [22:11] - In these scams, a detailed and simultaneously vague email will request a project be done.
    • [24:40] - If someone overpays you for a service, be skeptical.
    • [28:01] - The extra details in the initial email could be a red flag.
    • [29:40] - The use of details is intended to distract you.
    • [31:08] - Liz works primarily with small to medium sized businesses, but large companies are also very susceptible to scams.
    • [32:52] - Social engineering and preying on emotions are the common threads between all scams.
    • [35:41] - False authority in an email can also be a red flag.

    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
    • SangFroid Web Design Web Page
    • Liz Eisworth on LinkedIn
    38 min

About Easy Prey

From the publisher's feed

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.

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