IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

On this episode of The Protectors Podcast, recorded at the TIAA Fraud Summit in North Carolina, Mike and Mark sit down with threat intel analyst Paul Raffile. When a close friend became the victim of a sextortion scam involving explicit images and threats for money, Paul put his skills to work. What he uncovered led to a massive collaboration with law enforcement, bringing together a wide range of agencies to expose the disturbing networks behind these digital extortion crimes—and to spark a broader conversation about prevention, enforcement, and how these cases are handled. This episode is a must-listen for everyone!

The Protectors Podcast - Protecting You From the Darkest Corners of Online Crime.

Paul Raffile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffile/

Take It Down: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/

StopNCII.org: https://stopncii.org/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Today we celebrate a major milestone—100 episodes of The Protectors Podcast! Since day one, our mission has been to educate and empower people worldwide, helping them avoid fraud, scams, and cybercrime while encouraging victims to come forward. With listeners in over 21 countries, we’re proud to highlight the incredible work of IAFCI members and their commitment to investigating and protecting our global communities.

For this special episode, hosts Mark Solomon and Mike Carroll are joined by executive producer Doug Taylor, editor Chris Warner, and a crew of past guests and loyal listeners. Together, we look back on the powerful stories shared, laugh through a few bloopers, and celebrate the IAFCI’s ongoing mission.

It’s a relaxed, reflective, and fun-filled episode honoring our journey so far—thanks to everyone who’s tuned in, shared, and supported The Protectors Podcast along the way!

Ben Franklin: https://www.youtube.com/@barrystevens6767

https://benfranklinprinter.com/about-barry-stevens.html

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

We’re on location live at the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit for this episode of The Protectors Podcast. Today, Mike and Mark sit down with a guest who’s on the front lines of fighting fraud—and studying how artificial intelligence is changing the game. From deepfakes to data breaches, you’ll hear how scammers are using AI to get smarter—and how we can use it to stop them, because in the world of fraud, knowing what’s possible is the first step to staying protected.

The Protectors Podcast - Where Fraud Meets Its Match

Deep Media: https://deepmedia.ai/

Ally Madrone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allymadrone/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark bring you a story from the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit in North Carolina that highlights the power of prevention. Our guest nearly fell victim to a sophisticated credit card scam—but didn’t. Why? Because she had fraud alerts, banking notifications, and card monitoring already set up - all free services, all easy to activate, and all too often overlooked. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stop fraud before it starts.

The Protectors Podcast - Fighting Fraud Before It Finds You

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Children today are more vulnerable than ever to online predators—especially on platforms like Snapchat, where anonymity and impulsivity can collide with devastating consequences.

In today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with two incredibly brave parents who took immediate, decisive action when their daughter was targeted in what could’ve turned into an extortion scam. They walk us through how they recognized the warning signs, the critical role law enforcement played, and the red flags every parent should be watching for. This is an important episode for anyone with kids, teens, or young adults navigating the digital world because the scammers are out there - and they’re professionals - but so are The Protectors!

The Protectors Podcast - Smart Parenting In a Digital World

NetSmartz: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

InternetMatters: https://www.internetmatters.org/

StopBullying.gov: https://www.stopbullying.gov/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Elder abuse isn’t always visible—and it’s more common than most people realize. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, recorded at the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit, Mike and Mark are joined by Kristy Preston and Meredith Smith, two experts with deep experience in helping vulnerable adults. They unpack the many forms elder abuse can take—financial, emotional, physical, and more—why it often goes unnoticed, and what steps you can take if you suspect someone is being harmed. This is a conversation about awareness, action, and protecting those who can’t always protect themselves.

The Protectors Podcast - Where Awareness Meets Action.

North Carolina Adult Protection Network: https://protectadults.sog.unc.edu/

Search "Elder Abuse" in your state

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

In a landmark episode recorded live on stage at the 2025 TIAA Cyber Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Protectors Podcast took center stage before a massive crowd of fraud fighters, cyber experts, financial crime investigators, and law enforcement professionals. Hosts Mike and Mark were joined by a recently retired law enforcement veteran, who delivered a compelling message that echoed across the room: Educate yourself, Engage others, and Empower them with the tools to stay protected and spread awareness.

This live episode marked a bold new format for the show—and a timely reminder of why the fight against fraud is more about people than it is about procedures.

The Protectors Podcast - From Victim to Voice to Vigilance.

TIAA Website: https://www.tiaa.org/public?tc_mcid=bn_yextglocal_0618

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast. In this episode, we look at a case that proves local police can be just as powerful as federal agencies when it comes to romance scams. A determined detective helped our guest find justice—and she’s now helping others through victim support groups, books, and advocacy. It’s a story of recovery, partnership, and hope. Listen, learn, and see how the right help can make all the difference.

The Protectors Podcast - Stopping Scams in Their Tracks.

Debbie Fox:

Website: https://www.flowwithdebbiefox.com/

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flowwithdebbiefox/

Instagram Username: @flowwithdebbiefox

Author/Advocacy Page: https://www.flowwithdebbiefox.com/pages/debbie-fox-author-page

FLOW Circle Peer-to-Peer Mindfulness Group: [email protected]

Books: Encrypted Hearts: Love and Cyber Suspense, and FLOW Journal: A Companion for Healing and Renewal, available worldwide online from major booksellers.

Amazon link to author page with links to both publications: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debbie-Fox/author/B0DQVKCP6S?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flowwithdebbiefox

Speaker/Advocacy Inquiries: Please contact directly through email, contact tab on website or Linkedin.

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Online dating is now the go-to way to meet people, but it also opens the door to scams. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark talk with a man who became the target of a romance scam. It’s an emotional, revealing conversation that sheds light on the red flags he missed, the tactics scammers use to build trust, and the emotional and financial toll these schemes can take. Whether you’re dating or know someone who is, this is one conversation you'll want to hear.

The Protectors Podcast - Know the signs. Stop the scams.

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast — where real experts tackle real threats. This week, Doug Taylor steps in for Mike as co-host alongside Mark for an eye-opening conversation with a special guest expert on home and business burglaries. The focus? South American Theft Groups—also known as SATGs. These highly organized crews are targeting neighborhoods and businesses across the country. Our guest breaks down how they operate, what they’re after, and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself.

The Protectors Podcast - Defense Starts Here.

Jose Mendez Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jose-mendez-a754024b

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]