In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the crime of scams. What legally separates scams, fraud, theft, and bad business deals, and why many situations that feel criminal end up being civil matters. They explain why these distinctions matter, why victims often feel dismissed, and why some of the most damaging scams never result in criminal charges.

They also walk through why scams are so difficult to investigate, including international suspects, spoofed numbers, money mules, disappearing digital evidence, and highly organized operations designed to move faster than law enforcement. The episode covers common scams being seen today, why smart people fall for them, and practical steps to reduce your risk and respond quickly if it happens to you.

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Resources:

Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams

https://www.usa.gov/where-report-scams

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central

https://www.idtheftcenter.org

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