Cross Roads Podcast News - Don't Get Scammed! How to Spot Fraud Before It Gets You

Send us Fan MailYour phone rings and the caller sounds exactly like someone you love. A text says your package cannot be delivered. A “support agent” calmly walks you through steps that seem normal until they ask for a code, a password, or gift cards. We dig into why modern scams work so well, and it has less to do with intelligence and more to do with emotion: fear, urgency, authority, and secrecy.We break down the biggest fraud patterns we’re seeing right now, including AI voice impersonation scams, fake customer service numbers that show up in search results, phishing links disguised as delivery alerts, and job scams that promise remote work but demand money for “equipment.” We also talk about romance and relationship scams that weaponize trust, plus a sneaky online shopping trick where a fake checkout page shows “card declined” to coax you into entering multiple credit cards.You’ll leave with a clear, usable anti-scam checklist: slow down when pressured, do not click unexpected links, do not trust caller ID, verify independently using official apps or numbers you already have, never share verification codes, and treat gift cards, crypto, and wire transfers as major danger signs. We also share one of our favorite family defenses for 2026: setting a safe word, then still hanging up and calling back.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review so more people can learn the Stop Think Verify habit.Support the showOrder your copy today of "Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition," by Stefan McDermott.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYWMB929www.stefanmcdermott.comTo Book an event with The Santa Steven and Mrs. Claus go to:https://www.gigsalad.com/the_santa_steven_aubrey