Podcast Summary: Hacking Humans – “Scam Me Once”

Episode Overview

In the "Scam Me Once" episode of Hacking Humans, hosted by N2K Networks, Dave Buettner and Joe Kerrigan delve deep into the intricate world of social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are increasingly targeting both individuals and organizations. Released on May 22, 2025, this episode not only shares gripping real-life scam stories but also features an insightful interview with Alex Hall, a trust and safety architect at Sift, who provides expert analysis on the evolving threat landscape of job-related scams.

1. Opening Anecdotes: Chickens, Dogs, and Unexpected Threats

The episode kicks off with a light-hearted yet revealing conversation about insider threats, illustrated through a personal story shared by co-host Maria Vermazis. Maria recounts the heartbreaking incident where her family's pet dog, described as a "mass murdering psychopath," slaughtered 13 chickens on Easter Sunday.

Maria Vermazis [01:07]: “Somebody let this dog, who is apparently a mass murdering psychopath of a dog... and she just went downstairs and just killed all 13 of the chickens.”

This anecdote serves as a metaphor for trusted insiders betraying expectations, setting the stage for discussions on more sophisticated forms of deceit in cybersecurity.

2. Real-World Scam Stories from the Scam Subreddit

The hosts transition into sharing two compelling scam narratives sourced from Reddit's scam subreddit, highlighting the variety and ingenuity of modern scams.

a. Preventing a Crypto Investment Scam

A bank teller narrates an encounter with a customer attempting to scam the bank by claiming to need a $9,000 deposit to unlock $90,000 from a fraudulent crypto account. The teller's skepticism and prompt action prevent the scam from succeeding.

Joe Kerrigan [14:25]: “I grabbed my phone and showed him the numerous crypto scams posted on Reddit. I said his biggest blessing is losing a couple of hundred dollars and not thousands.”

b. Impersonation of a Police Officer for DWI-Related Scams

Another story details a scam where an individual posing as a Sergeant Shane Kitchens contacts a scam victim, claiming their relative with a DWI is about to be released pending a payment for an ankle monitor. The scam exploits emotional vulnerability, nearly extracting $3,500 from the victim.

Joe Kerrigan [17:48]: “This is a scam, Obviously. This person pretending to be the police officer...”

This narrative underscores the importance of verifying official communications, especially those requesting urgent financial actions.

c. Fake Quilting Orders on Facebook

Maria shares a personal experience where a scammer attempts to deceive her wife through a cloned Facebook account, asking for a deposit to order a quilt. The immediate suspicion and verification by family members avert a potential scam.

Maria Vermazis [22:49]: “This is a Facebook account that's just being used to scam people. And fortunately, my wife did not get scammed.”

d. DoorDash Driver's Massive Fraud

A case involving a DoorDash driver who, along with accomplices, stole $2.5 million by exploiting backend access to manipulate orders and payments. This fraudulent scheme highlights vulnerabilities in service platforms' operational systems.

Maria Vermazis [24:59]: “He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.”

e. Google Second Factor Authentication Scam

The episode addresses Google-related scams where fraudsters impersonate support to extract authentication codes, allowing unauthorized access to victims' accounts.

Maria Vermazis [27:44]: “Google will never call you to help you reset your password. That's not how this works at all.”

3. Expert Interview: Alex Hall on Job Scams and AI

A significant portion of the episode features an interview with Alex Hall, Trust and Safety Architect at Sift. With 17 years of experience, including a period as a former fraudster, Alex provides a dual-perspective analysis on the rising menace of job-related scams exacerbated by AI technologies.

a. The Dual Nature of Job Scams

Alex outlines two primary categories of job scams:

1. Malicious Job Seekers: Individuals leveraging AI and social engineering to secure positions for nefarious purposes, potentially becoming insider threats.

2. Fake Job Listings: Scammers posting bogus job advertisements to collect personal information, facilitate identity theft, or perpetrate financial fraud.

Alex Hall [40:11]: “These job postings are being written with AI... fraudsters are taking that information... which might result in synthetic ID fraud, might result in identity theft.”

b. Protecting Job Seekers

Alex advises job seekers to meticulously verify job postings by:

• Checking company LinkedIn pages and official websites.
• Scrutinizing email addresses and communication channels.
• Verifying phone numbers and directly contacting companies through known service lines.

Alex Hall [42:33]: “Verify and then contact directly...”

c. Mitigating Organizational Risks

For organizations, Alex emphasizes the integration of fraud prevention technologies within recruitment processes to detect suspicious behavior early. This includes:

• Analyzing geolocation and device data during application submissions.
• Monitoring application velocity to identify bot activities.
• Implementing strict authentication measures during interviews and onboarding.

Alex Hall [47:04]: “Looking at behaviors that are suspicious, looking at geolocation, device intelligence...”

He also highlights the catastrophic potential of insider threats, urging organizations to monitor access and interactions within their systems diligently.

Alex Hall [48:08]: “Fraudster takes over an employee's account... the damage can be catastrophic.”

4. Managing Deceased Loved Ones’ Accounts and Associated Scams

The hosts share personal experiences regarding the management of deceased relatives' online accounts, shedding light on how scammers exploit these situations.

a. Facebook Legacy Accounts

Both Dave and Maria discuss the vulnerabilities of legacy contacts on Facebook, where scammers imitate deceased individuals to manipulate or extract information.

Dave Buettner [34:27]: “There's a lack of sensitivity around all this from these companies.”

b. Emotional Manipulation and Data Security

These stories highlight the necessity for platforms to implement more secure and sensitive handling of deceased users' accounts to prevent exploitation.

5. Final Thoughts and Cultural Shifts in Recruitment

Concluding the episode, the hosts and Alex stress the urgent need for cultural shifts within organizations to prioritize cybersecurity in recruitment and HR processes. Separating recruiting from HR functions and integrating advanced fraud detection measures are recommended to safeguard against evolving threats.

Alex Hall [50:35]: “Job scams are taking off... It's more important than ever that the consumers become educated.”

Key Takeaways

• Vigilance is Crucial: Whether you're a job seeker, an organization, or managing a loved one’s digital legacy, staying informed and cautious can prevent falling victim to sophisticated scams.

• Technological Tools Matter: Leveraging advanced fraud prevention technologies and integrating them into recruitment and operational processes can significantly mitigate risks.

• Awareness and Education: Continuous education on emerging scam tactics, especially those enhanced by AI, is essential for both individuals and organizations to stay ahead in the cybersecurity landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Maria Vermazis [01:07]: "Somebody let this dog, who is apparently a mass murdering psychopath of a dog... and she just went downstairs and just killed all 13 of the chickens."

• Joe Kerrigan [14:25]: "I grabbed my phone and showed him the numerous crypto scams posted on Reddit. I said his biggest blessing is losing a couple of hundred dollars and not thousands."

• Alex Hall [40:11]: “These job postings are being written with AI... fraudsters are taking that information... which might result in synthetic ID fraud, might result in identity theft.”

• Alex Hall [47:04]: “Looking at behaviors that are suspicious, looking at geolocation, device intelligence...”

• Alex Hall [50:35]: “Job scams are taking off... It's more important than ever that the consumers become educated.”

Conclusion

"Scam Me Once" offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of modern scams, blending personal anecdotes with expert insights to equip listeners with the knowledge to recognize and thwart deceptive tactics. Whether through personal vigilance or organizational policy enhancements, the episode underscores the collective responsibility in combating the ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime.