IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

According to the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, the theft of trade secrets costs the U.S. between $180 billion and $540 billion annually. And with advanced technology and the Internet, stealing intellectual property has become easier than ever before. Intellectual Property, or IP, can be movies, music, content on the web, software, patents, and more.

Today's episode of The Protectors Podcast is brought to you from the 2023 CCROC Conference in Chicago, IL. Mike and Mark sit down with Attorney Angelo Mazza. Angelo is an expert in the field of Intellectual Property Theft, with over three decades of experience battling the ever-evolving challenges that artists, inventors, and creators face. As a legal expert, lecturer, and advocate, Angelo has been at the forefront of protecting intellectual property rights, ensuring that the creative minds behind innovations and artistic works receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

Whether you're an aspiring artist, a tech entrepreneur, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of intellectual property, our podcast will provide you with the knowledge and insights to navigate this intricate terrain.

Angelo Mazza Email: [email protected]

Gibney Website: https://www.gibney.com/

----------------------------------

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Welcome to the 50th episode of The Protectors Podcast. Today's episode features special guest - news anchor, narrator, producer, and author Bill Kurtis. This legendary journalist's credits include hits such as Cold Case Files, American Justice, and American Greed, to name a few. 

Host Mark Solomon, and sitting in for co-host Mike Carroll, April DeValkenaere, take listeners on a compelling adventure recounting Kurtis's journey from his early days to becoming an internationally known TV personality.

In this special 50th episode, Bill shares his thoughts on the fraud and financial crime crisis plaguing the United States and the world. Bill also discusses what he calls the four "Crimes of the Century." This podcast promises to be as entertaining as it is enlightening, so sit back, relax, and let the Maestro himself take you through this very special 50th episode of The Protectors Podcast.

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Criminals use every bit of technology to their advantage. You can no longer trust who is calling, sending a text, or an email. You just never know who is at the other end. And you can wind up losing everything.

Welcome to today's episode of The Protectors Podcast. In this episode, we're joined by a special guest, Christian, a brave college student who has experienced firsthand the devastating impact of a banking scam. Christian courageously shares his personal story, taking us through the harrowing journey of being targeted by a cunning phone call scam that appeared to be from his banking institution. The fraud left him bewildered, vulnerable, and potentially penniless. His story is a call to our younger Americans, as to others, that getting educated about fraud is critical in the world we live in. Fortunately, Christian reacted quickly, and with some help from the Protectors Podcast, IAFCI, law enforcement, and bank investigators, this story has a rare happy ending. Christian wanted to "pay it forward," so others know what to do when they are targeted by imposters.  

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Insurance fraud, a hidden but significant menace, greatly impacts the U.S. economy and your wallet. As fraud cases rise, they inflict severe losses on insurers, inevitably leading to higher premiums for honest policyholders like you. To tackle this issue effectively, a strategic collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, and insurance companies is essential for protecting our economy and the citizens.

In today's episode of The Protectors Podcast, our hosts Mike and Mark are joined by Steve Bodge, a seasoned expert from Nationwide Insurance with over three decades of experience. Steve peels back the curtain on the world of insurance fraud, illuminating different types of scams, such as staged accidents and fraudulent medical claims. He will also share the broader implications of these deceptive practices on insurers, policyholders, and our economy. Whether you're an insurance professional, a vigilant citizen, or simply curious about financial crimes, this episode will offer crucial insights and emphasize the role we all play in curbing insurance fraud.

Steve Bodge Business Cell: 304-482-2223

Steve Bodge Email: [email protected]

Steve Bodge Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bodge-cfe-cfci-ciafp-cifi-scla-5a402017

------------------------------

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

For anyone who has owned a pet, you know the bond and emotional attachment that instantly occurs when you welcome them into your family. Online fraudsters also know this and lure you in with your heart, a few pictures, and your wallet. Unscrupulous individuals, social media postings, and fraudulent websites have taken advantage of people's desires to own a new pet.

On today's episode of The Protectors, Mike and Mark welcome Steve Baker, a former Director of the Federal Trade Commission in the Midwest. Steve served with the Better Business Bureau as International Investigation Specialist and is the author of the Baker Fraud Report, a newsletter on consumer fraud that goes out worldwide once a week. 

Additionally, on the podcast, two victims of online pet fraud scams speak out and share how they were targeted. They chose to come forward to help prevent others from becoming victims. It is essential for prospective pet owners to be vigilant, informed, and equipped with the knowledge to identify and avoid these fraudulent schemes. Heed the advice from today's show, and don't fall victim to these heartless schemes.

The Baker Fraud Report: https://bakerfraudreport.com/

Pet Scams Website: https://petscams.com/

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Don't trust that random text or direct message from a stranger - it might be the first step in a "Pig Butchering" scam. So named in reference to the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter, these scams often involve fraudsters contacting targets seemingly at random, then gaining trust before ultimately manipulating their targets into phony investments and disappearing with the funds.

Today on The Protectors, Mike and Mark welcome Santa Clara County District Attorney Erin West to the show. Erin is proud to serve as prosecutor to REACT -- Santa Clara County's elite high-tech investigative force - focused on bringing down international SIM swappers, disrupting fraudulent call centers abroad, and now actively working to combat the romance investment scam known as pig butchering.

Consumers must always remain alert for scams, especially as new financial products like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies become popular. Sit back and enjoy today's show with open ears as Erin lays out everything you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming the next victim under the knife of the pig butcher scammer!

Erin West Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinnordbywest/

Erin's Top 3 Safety Tips: "Caution"

1. Caution with people you meet online
2. Caution with people that are accelerating an online relationship too quickly
3. Caution when financial decisions need to be made urgently

------------------------------

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Samantha Josephson was a 21-year-old student at the University of South Carolina when she ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car she thought was her ride. The driver used childproof locks to prevent Samantha from leaving the vehicle, and was kidnapped and subsequently murdered.

This horrific crime attracted national media attention and led to discussions about the dangers of ridesharing and the importance of ensuring that a rideshare car is being driven by a registered driver prior to entering.

On today's episode of The Protectors, Mike and Mark speak with Samantha's father, Seymour Josephson. Seymour is on a mission to keep his daughter's memory alive by educating the public on the dangers facing rideshare users. Additionally, Seymour created the What's My Name Foundation. The Foundation aims to inform the public about rideshare safety and bring legislation to protect rideshare users and rideshare employees. Seymour speaks regularly at high schools and colleges to inform and educate students, administrators, and parents around the country. Please join us for this very special episode of The Protectors.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatsmyname_org/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatsmyname.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WHATSMYNAMESAMI

What's My Name Foundation Website: https://www.whatsmyname.org/

#whatsmyname

#samistrong

Uber 4-Digit-PIN Instructions: https://www.uber.com/en-PL/blog/pin-number/

____________________________

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Whether it’s fake booking websites, vacation rental scams, ticket fraud, or gas pump skimming, summer travel scams can quickly turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of these scams and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Today, Mike and Mark welcome their producer Doug Taylor to the show, where they discuss some of the most common and dangerous types of fraud that occur during the summer months, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Today, we've also opened up a forum for some of our Facebook followers who share their top recommendations for staying safe while exploring new destinations this summer.

Whether you're planning a road trip or heading overseas, today's episode of The Protectors has everything you need to know to stay one step ahead of scammers looking to take advantage of your vacation plans. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of Summertime Scams together!

The Protectors Travel Tips:

Bureau of Consular Affairs: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Gas Pump Skimmer Reference Photos:

https://www.ocalapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/skimmer5.jpg

https://www.kamloopsbcnow.com/files/files/images/skimmer%20compared.jpg

• Keep your belongings in sight at all times.
• Use lockable, hard-case luggage.
• Secure your luggage with a TSA-approved lock.
• Avoid displaying expensive items.
• Don't put valuables in your checked luggage.
• Be wary of distractions and helpful strangers.
• Collect your checked luggage as quickly as possible.
• Consider using a luggage tracking device or service. AIR TAGS

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

In today's digital age, online banking has become an essential part of our daily lives. With just a few clicks, we can access and manage our finances anytime and anywhere. However, with this convenience comes the risk of falling victim to online banking scams such as phishing, smishing, and vishing scams. As these types of cyber attacks become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions in safeguarding themselves against such fraud.

Today, Mike and Mark welcome John Bridge to The Protectors podcast. A retired criminal investigator, law enforcement trainer, and private sector speaker, John is now President of Government Security at Trust Stamp, a scale-up focusing on mitigating risk to identity data. John gives us detailed explanations of the newest online scams while also providing extremely useful information on protecting yourself from these devastating cybercrimes that take place every day!

John Bridge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bridge/

Trust Stamp: https://truststamp.ai/

Impersonator Deepfake Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm3squcz7Aw

------------------------------

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Almost half of the content of the Internet is located on the dark web. Though there are legitimate reasons for the dark web, most of its content is for the criminal element. From carding sites that will sell your account and personal identifying information to prostitution, murder for hire, human trafficking, and child pornography, the dark web is mostly a lawless place for the underworld to traffic its evil proceeds and services. And this illegal activity can be increasingly seen on the public Internet at an alarming rate. Social media sites have now become a common place for fraudsters and hackers.  

Today on The Protectors, Mike and Mark welcome Robert Villanueva. Robert currently leads the Cyber Threat Intelligence Division of Q6 Cyber, a global cyber intelligence company that monitors a vast universe of online sites, marketplaces, communities, and forums where hackers, fraudsters, and cybercriminals operate and interact. Robert has an extensive background, including years with the U.S. Secret Service, and today he educates us on the unknown that is the Dark Web and how we can protect ourselves from harm as the cybercrime threat grows more severe throughout the world.

Q6 Cyber Company Website: www.q6cyber.com

Q6 Cyber Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/q6-cyber/

Q6 Cyber Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/Q6Cyber

Robert Villanueva LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-v-0b3a4413/

Robert Villanueva Email: [email protected]