Affinity Scams

Affinity Scams and Fraud: How They Work

Affinity scammers exploit commonality—deploying familiarity as a weapon. Here’s what you need to know.
Sara Ganim

Sara Ganim and Karen Given Have No Affinity for Coco Berthmann

Two award-winning journalists explore a scammer’s troubled mind and dubious claims and introduce us to affinity scams.
mail theft

Alexander’s Client Sends a Thief Oodles of Boodles via Check

Scammers don’t always need quantum computing or even much in the way of tactics. Sometimes, they can just steal your mail.
Data poisoning

Why is Data Poisoning Dangerous?

Will Data Poisoning Be the Next Frontier for Cyberattacks and Misinformation?
Kathy Stokes, AARP

AARP Anti-Fraud Tzar Kathy Stokes Gets Real about Online Crime

A new study from the AARP confirms what most of us feared: Scammers aren’t ageist.
Data poisoning

What Data Poisoning Is and How It Could Transform ChatGPT into...

Data poisoning in deep-learning and artificial intelligence environments may impact the future of mis- and disinformation campaigns and even malware. Here’s what you need to know.
Nadine - Trademark

Nadine’s Trademark Filing Triggers a Spoof Call that Leaves a Mark

When Nadine told the government that she wanted to protect a trademark, she also alerted a criminal.
Puppy scammer

Carl’s Nasty Puppy Scammer Leads Him to the Cutest Surprise

A couple tried to adopt a puppy after they lost their beloved lab and they found one that was perfect, except it didn’t exist.
Deepfake sextortion

FBI Warns of Uptick in Deepfake-Based Sextortion Schemes

Sextortion scams featuring targeted AI “deepfake” participants are becoming more common. Here’s what you need to know.
David Maimon

David Maimon on the Spike in Driver’s License Fraud

A professor of criminology says drivers’ licenses are the new skeleton key to your identity.
Shreya Datta

Shreya Datta’s Crush Creeps Off with $450,000

Pig Butchering is on the rise, but do you even know what it is? This episode brings the goods with an unforgettable example.
100 episodes of What the Hack with Adam Levin

Adam, Beau and Travis Pick Their Favorite Episodes of What the...

After crossing the one hundred-episode mark of What the Hack with Adam Levin, we share a few of our favorites.
100 episodes of What the Hack

100 Episodes Later We Hack Ourselves

Adam, Beau and Travis look back on one hundred episodes of scams, hacks, Tin Foil Swans, experts, novices and dad jokes.
Romance Scam

The Sunk Cost Fallacy of Romance Scams

While the road to recovery is unique for each victim of romance scams, it can become particularly challenging for those who become addicted to the harmful swindle.
Charlie Webster - Scamanda Podcast

Charlie Webster Talks About Her Best Fiend

Charlie Webster is the host of the number one podcast going right now, “Scamanda.” Listen in as we share notes on GoFundMe scams.
QR code scam

Can a QR Code Get You Scammed?

QR codes are convenient, but they also pose a security risk. Here’s what you need to know.
Chat GPT

Karen Johnson’s Scam Project Is a Teachable Moment for AI

A reformed catfisher helps senior citizens stay safe, only to get catfished herself, but what does it have to do with AI?
Shorty Awards

What the Hack Wins Shorty Award

What the Hack with Adam Levin won an Award in one category and was a finalist in another in this year's 15th annual Shorty Awards. The...
Fox 26 Houston

Adam Levin Discusses Montana’s TikTok Ban on Fox26 Houston

Adam Levin was featured on FOX26 Houston to discuss Montana's unprecedented ban of the TikTok app.
Eva Velasquez

Eva Velasquez Has Some Terrifying News About Identity Crime Trends

The head of the Identity Theft Resource Center shares this year’s top three threats.