How Scammers Exploit Our Elders

Episode 2 of the Good Grief podcast, hosted by O'Connell Funeral Homes, titled "How Scammers Exploit Our Elders" was published on January 22, 2026 and runs 40 minutes.

January 22, 2026 ·40m · Good Grief

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Summary

In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, hosts Pete Waggoner and Michael O’Connell sit down with St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson to talk about a growing threat facing older adults: scams that prey on kindness, trust, and fear.From grandparent scams and fake tech support calls to government impersonators and gift card fraud, Sheriff Knutson shares real-world examples from his thirty years in law enforcement. The conversation explores why these crimes are so hard to track, why many victims never report them, and how families can take practical steps to protect their loved ones.This episode is about awareness, education, and breaking the silence around scams so fewer families are harmed.

Episode Description

In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, hosts Pete Waggoner and Michael O’Connell sit down with St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson to talk about a growing threat facing older adults: scams that prey on kindness, trust, and fear.

From grandparent scams and fake tech support calls to government impersonators and gift card fraud, Sheriff Knutson shares real-world examples from his thirty years in law enforcement. The conversation explores why these crimes are so hard to track, why many victims never report them, and how families can take practical steps to protect their loved ones.

This episode is about awareness, education, and breaking the silence around scams so fewer families are harmed.