Joe Knows Better

Moving can be stressful enough. Getting hit with a surprise bill after your belongings are already on the truck is even worse. Some moving companies quote one price, then demand thousands more before delivery. So how can you protect yourself before moving day? On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey sits down with Donavon and Devin Connor from Overall Moving to discuss moving scams, wha...

The next scam you see might look completely legitimate. With AI, fake websites, polished emails, and even celebrity endorsement videos can be created in minutes, making scams more convincing than ever before. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Julien Brandt, Founder and CEO of Ampra.ai, to break down how AI is changing scams and why consumers need t...

Business kept your money and won’t make it right? Small claims court could be an option. For a relatively small filing fee, you may be able to recover thousands, but preparation matters. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Judge Michele Reagan of the Maricopa County Justice Court to break down when small claims court makes sense, how the process work...

You get a notice your account was charged $400 for something you didn’t order. Now what? Call the number in the message? Or log into your account and check it yourself? The wrong move could hand scammers exactly what they want. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, BBB's Joe Ducey down with BBB’s Michelle Marin to break down the biggest scams we’re seeing and the simple steps that can keep you...

Trying to fix your AC yourself because you don’t know who to hire? When the heat hits, the last thing you want is guessing your way through repairs or overpaying the wrong person. Knowing who to trust and what to expect can make all the difference. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin sit down with Joey Gosky of Efficiency Mechanical to break down how to hire the r...

Romance scams. Fake sweepstakes. Tech traps. The playbook keeps evolving, but so do the people fighting back. National Investigative Emmy recipient Joe Ducey and BBB's Michelle Marin sit down with AARP Arizona Communications Director Alex Juarez to break down the biggest scams targeting seniors right now, the warning signs to watch for, and how to shut them down before they cost someone everything...

He thought he was finally seeing her face. A video call. A real person. The same face from all the photos. But something was off. The lips didn't quite move right. Looking back, he knows what it was. An AI filter. A fake face layered over a real call, designed to make him believe the person he'd been trusting was actually there. This is where scams are now. And most people wouldn't catch it. On th...

Hiring a contractor? Don't get scammed! Have a home improvement job and need to hire a contractor? Where do you find one? What do you need to know about them? Too many people are complaining Better Business Bureau about losing thousands of dollars to contractors taking money upfront and leaving. In this BBB Joeknowsbetter podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin talk to .... about how to check out yo...

Online friend or fraud? She trusted the wrong man! Not all scams happen from long distances. Some fraudsters operate in plain site. In this BBB Joeknowsbetter podcasts, Ann tells her story about a person she thought was a friend. When he moved away, he reached out needing financial help, not once or twice but multiple times leaving Ann struggling with debt. How did he manipulate Ann into giving hi...

Make $100s off class action settlements? What they are and how to get involved! Sometimes businesses settle class action lawsuits for millions of dollars, without admitting any guilt. While lawyers get a big chunk, you can file a claim if you qualify-if you were affected. Joe Ducey talks to a man who files claims, Tracks payouts, and pockets hundreds! Check out the latest scams at joeknowsbetter.c...

Want to save hundreds on your next flight? Try shifting your travel dates. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin of BBB talk with Sally French , Travel Expert with Nerdwallet , to share a simple but powerful money saving tip. Leave a day earlier or later. Tools like Google Flights make it easy to spot the cheapest travel days, and the savings can add up fast, especi...

“You’ve won millions!” 🎉 …or so the scammer says. Scammers called! We called the scammers back using numbers reported to BBB and suddenly we were lottery winners with millions of dollars and luxury cars on the way… all we had to do was pay a “small fee.” BBB’s Michelle Marin and Jasmine Tucker joined Joe Ducey to turn the tables and see what really happens next. #ScamAlert #FraudAwareness #Lotter...

Think your HOA is just trying to make money? Think again. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey sits down with Nery Ralon and Jonathan Brown from GUD Community Management to explain why HOAs are nonprofit entities and how unpaid dues can impact the entire community. When one homeowner doesn’t pay, everyone feels it. Tap the link in bio to listen or visit joeknowsbetter.com 🎧 #HOADues...

This week’s Joe Knows Better podcast has a special kind of energy. ✨ Joe’s conversations often dig into the tougher side of doing business and staying protected… but this episode brings in a whole new vibe. Jodi Low , Founder and CEO of U & Improved and BBB Board Chairwoman, joins the show to talk about heart-felt leadership and how purpose can transform a business. If you’ve ever heard Jodi...

Thinking about getting out of your timeshare? ⛱️ The resale market is full of scams targeting owners who just want out. ⚠️ High fees + low resale value = a perfect setup for scammers promising buyers for big upfront costs. 🚫 Joe Ducey talked with Jeremy Russo of Vacation Ownership Consultants , who breaks down a safer approach — working with attorneys to legally cancel contracts. ⚖️ Know the red...

Is Arizona holding YOUR money? More than $2 billion in unclaimed property is sitting with the state — and some of it could belong to you. We’re talking forgotten bank accounts, safe deposit box items, uncashed checks, gold bars, jewelry, sports collectibles — all tied to real names and last known addresses… and waiting for the rightful owners to claim them. On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast,...

A single mom of three, on the verge of losing her home, turned to social media for support — and instead found scammers posing as “helpers” with fake investment opportunities. What started as hope turned into hard-earned money disappearing fast. In the latest Joe Knows Better podcast, she bravely shares: • How the scam started • Why she kept trusting the scammers • The red flags she missed • And w...

If you’re renting, you’ve probably seen your fair share of confusing fees and deposits—but do you know what’s actually legal? From application fees to support animals, BBB’s Joe Ducey sits down with Deborah Simmons of Advantage Arizona Real Estate & Property Management and Michael Kotin of Kay-Kay Realty Corp to break down what renters should (and shouldn’t) be paying for. Learn how to protect...

Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7 , and while that means it’s time to review your coverage… it also means scammers are getting ready to strike. ⚠️ 📞 Be cautious of calls about “new benefits.” 🚫 Never share your Medicare number with strangers. 📋 And watch out for reps who don’t understand your local coverage — you could end up with a plan you can’t even use. Carol Brown from the Area...

Hiring a contractor soon? 🛠️ Whether it’s home repairs, landscaping, or even putting in a pool — protecting your project and your money starts with asking the right questions. In this episode, BBB’s Joe Ducey talks with Arizona Registrar of Contractors Director Tom Cole + Assistant Director Cindy Casaus about: ✔️ The 3 questions you must ask before hiring ✔️ What to look for in a contract ✔️ How m...

Scammers are getting bolder, and BBB Scam Tracker is seeing a spike in reports—from bogus rental application fees charged before you can even view a property, to fake job offers, romance scams, loan schemes, and crypto cons draining wallets fast. BBB’s Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin are breaking down the top 5 scams happening right now so you know what to look out for and can keep your money safe. #...

Skyrocketing insurance rates? You’re not alone. If you drive a car, you’ve probably felt the sting—some rates have doubled or even tripled! So what can you do to fight back? Should you file that claim or pay out of pocket? What actually helps lower your premium? On this episode, BBB’s Joe Ducey teams up with Nathan Mason of Insurance Professionals of Arizona to share real strategies for cutting co...

🚗 Car trouble can turn your whole day upside down—but rushing into repairs might cost you more than time or money. In this week’s episode of Joe Knows Better, Joe Ducey dives into the world of auto repair with special guests Eric Newton of Curt’s Auto Repair and Dave Riccio of Tri-City Transmission. They break down how to avoid getting ripped off, what signs point to trustworthy service, and why...

Think you can spot a scam? Think again. From fake vacation rentals to sketchy job offers and scammy shopping sites—fraud is everywhere right now. Joe Ducey teams up with BBB’s Michelle Marin in the latest Joe Knows Better podcast to break down the scams hitting hardest—and how to stay safe. 🎧 Listen now at joeknowsbetter.com #ScamTok #VacationScam #FakeListings #JobScam #OnlineScams #TravelWarnin...

81,000 people reported scams to BBB last year—$12 BILLION lost.📢 BBB Scam Survivor Day (May 8) is about raising awareness through real stories . Kirstin thought she was just reviewing her doctor—until someone offered her paid gigs writing reviews. She wasn’t job hunting, but the money was tempting… until it turned sketchy. Hear how she caught on before losing a dime—and what you need to watch for...