Let's Talk About Scams

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, dives deep into the IRS Identity Protection PIN—a powerful tool in the fight against tax-related fraud. With fraudulent tax returns causing a staggering $6 billion in losses annually, the IRS introduced this PIN to safeguard taxpayers' refunds. Join Joyce as she guides y...

This episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, sits down with Steve, who shares his near-miss experience with a scam called "pig butchering", which lures victims with the promise of lucrative cryptocurrency investments. Explore the depths of the mechanics behind the "pig butchering" scam and how scammers exploit soci...

On this episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, exposes the latest scams targeting the elderly. From the classic Reader's Digest sweepstake scams to the more insidious package delivery scams, Joyce provides valuable insights into recognizing these fraudulent schemes. This episode takes a compassionate turn as it ex...

On this episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, discusses the two prevalent scams that are currently making the rounds. First up is the “Look Who Died” scam on Facebook, a malicious attempt to exploit users’ emotions and curiosity. Following that, Joyce sheds light on “bank jugging,” a concerning trend that has pro...

On this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, hears from Janet who shares a recent tech support scam that targeted a 92-year-old family member. Through Janet's story, we understand the sophisticated tactics scammers use, from alarming pop-up messages to posing as bank employees, in order to exploit vulnerabilitie...

On this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, exposes the alarming resurgence of the jury duty scam! Joyce breaks down the scam's mechanics, from the initial contact—often through phone calls, texts, or emails—to the creation of a state of fear, and the pressing demand for payment to avoid arrest. She emphasizes...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, explores the intricate world of New Year's resolution scams, particularly those related to popular goals like losing weight and getting in shape. Joyce provides an invaluable update on gift card scams, revealing how scammers evolve their tactics to deceive consumers....

In this episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of ROSE Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the intricate world of government scams. Joyce  breaks down how scammers impersonate various government organizations like the IRS, Social Security, and Medicare to exploit unsuspecting individuals. She emphasizes the evolution of these scams, highlighting tac...

In this special episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of Rose Resources Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the crucial topic of holiday scams. With the increase in online shopping and charitable donations during the festive season, Joyce provides invaluable advice on how to stay vigilant and protect yourself from various scams. From understanding the tricks...

In this insightful episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams,” our host Joyce Petroski, founder of Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the world of grandparent scams. This episode is an eye-opener, explaining how scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities to trick grandparents into believing their grandchildren are in trouble, requiring immediate financial assistance. Joyce breaks do...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Scams, Joyce Petrowski guides us through the cunning world of thech support scams, explaining how they operate and the emotional tactics scammers use to manipulate their victims. Learn about the common ploys like unexpected contacts from well-known tech companies, false virus alerts, and phony refund offers. Joyce delves into real-life scenarios, including how s...

In this episode, Joyce Petrowski dives into the intricate world of scams, reviewing the anatomy of a scam, breaking down their anatomy into three critical components: initiating contact, creating a compelling reason to act, and requesting payment. The spotlight is on charity scams, a prevalent threat, especially during the holiday season. Scammers exploit global events, natural disasters, and conf...

In this kickoff episode of “Let’s Talk About Scams” with your host Joyce Petrowski, we dive deep into the alarming statistics from 2022, revealing the surge in scams targeting our older adult population. Joyce breaks down the anatomy of scams, providing insights into their strategies, techniques, and patterns. From the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s elder fraud reports to real-life scam t...