“They said I was hacked” — The Psychology Behind a Tech-Support Scam | Smarter Online Safety Podcast

Every 37 seconds, someone becomes a victim of cybercrime. In this special episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King, the Queen of Online Safety, sits down with Marie Wallace — a transformational coach, educator, and speaker — who shares the terrifying true story of how she was nearly deceived by a professional phone-and-computer scam posing as Microsoft Support. What begins as a normal workday turns into a nightmare: a blaring pop-up, fake “Microsoft” agents, threats of criminal charges, and emotional manipulation. But Marie’s quick instincts — and one critical phone call — stopped the scammers cold. This isn’t just her story — it’s a masterclass in how hackers use human psychology to trick smart, good-hearted people into handing over their trust, data, and money. Stay tuned until the end for Jocelyn’s practical safety checklist — how to verify a call, spot psychological red flags, and pre-protect your accounts before panic hits. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How real “tech-support” scams manipulate fear and urgency. 2. Why even smart, cautious people fall for these attacks. 3. What emotional triggers hackers exploit — and how to shut them down. 4. Simple, non-technical steps to protect yourself and your small business. 5. How to pre-save verified support numbers and avoid fake Google ads. 🔐 Key Takeaways ✅ Always pause when panic hits — urgency is the hacker’s weapon. ✅ Never call numbers from pop-ups, texts, or emails. ✅ Pre-save verified support numbers for banks, Microsoft, etc. ✅ Call the official number on your card or website. ✅ Never give out PINs, SSNs, or verification codes to unsolicited callers. 🌐 Visit: https://embracetheencore.com/  📣 Join the Mission If you found this story eye-opening, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone you care about. Together, we can make the online world safer — one click at a time. #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #TechSupportScam #SmarterOnlineSafety #CyberAwareness #ScamAlert #DigitalSafety