Grandma Got Scammed, Holiday Fraud, Gift Cards, Fake USPS Texts, Bitcoin ATMs episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 22, 2025 · 41 MIN

Grandma Got Scammed, Holiday Fraud, Gift Cards, Fake USPS Texts, Bitcoin ATMs

from Zero Downtime · host John Hass

Ho ho holy… grandma got scammed. John and Logan break down why the holidays are prime time for fraud and why most scams are not “hacks,” they are simple deception built on urgency, embarrassment, and pressure. They walk through the biggest patterns showing up right now, including discounted gift card deals that get drained or voided, fake USPS package delay texts that lead to phishing sites, and recruiting messages offering ridiculous pay and pushing people onto WhatsApp. They also cover the fake jail call, the classic Microsoft support call that ends with remote access and gift card demands, and the Hallmark style romance scam that turns into a money request. To close it out, they unpack the Bitcoin ATM trap and the pig butchering long con, how it builds trust, shows fake profits, and then locks withdrawals behind endless fees. If you want a clear, practical guide to spotting red flags and a smart way to talk to your family, especially older relatives, before it happens, this episode is for you.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Dec 22, 2025

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Grandma Got Scammed, Holiday Fraud, Gift Cards, Fake USPS Texts, Bitcoin ATMs

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