BEST OF HMS PODCASTS - MONDAY - March 10, 2025 - Scammers Posing As Microsoft - March 2024

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: BEST OF HMS PODCASTS - MONDAY - March 10, 2025

Host and Contributors:

• John Holmberg (Host)
• Brady Bogen
• Bret Vesely
• Dick Toledo

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Episode Overview

In this special compilation episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (HMS), the hosts delve into the pervasive issue of scammers impersonating Microsoft employees to defraud elderly individuals. The discussion intertwines personal anecdotes about childlessness and the implications of aging without family support, highlighting the vulnerabilities that come with aging and isolation.

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Key Discussions

1. Scammers Posing as Microsoft Employees

The episode begins with Brett raising concerns about elderly individuals being targeted by fraudsters pretending to be Microsoft representatives. He shares the story of Susan Guthrie, a 76-year-old from Arizona, who was deceived into transferring her life savings to a fraudulent Microsoft account.

• Brett Vesely (03:01):

  "Susan Guthrie, 76, conned by fraudsters who posed as Microsoft employees... she took her whole life savings and all her investments and everything else went over into this Microsoft hold."

Brett emphasizes the importance of regular check-ins with elderly family members to safeguard their finances.

• Brady Bogen (03:05):

  "Every once in a while... call me."

2. The Challenges of Being Childless

Bret and Mathias discuss the implications of choosing to remain childless, particularly in the context of aging without offspring to provide support or oversight.

• Bret Vesely (00:48):

  "We're going to be childless for the rest of our lives... I'd rather die broke than have a child."

They humorously ponder the logistics of aging together without children, including financial security and companionship.

• Mathias (13:25):

  "I'm in."

3. Financial Vulnerabilities in Aging

The conversation shifts to personal experiences with financial management among the elderly. Brett shares his father's meticulous approach to finances, balancing paper records with online banking, yet highlighting the risks of potential scams.

• Bret Vesely (06:37):

  "He does his banking online, but still has the paper... down to the damn penny."

They discuss the importance of having legal safeguards like power of attorney and trusts to protect assets.

• Brady Bogen (10:38):

  "Here's the pecking order."

4. Planning for the Future Without Children

Brett and Mathias explore hypothetical scenarios of their later years, contemplating living together and safeguarding their assets against scams and other vulnerabilities.

• Bret Vesely (12:09):

  "I don't think I want a pack with this guy."

They consider adopting a child as a means of financial management but humorously dismiss the practicality of such plans.

• Bret Vesely (12:59):

  "By then, neither of us can get it up anymore. So full gay."

5. Maintaining Mental and Financial Health

The hosts underscore the necessity of regular communication and mutual check-ins to ensure mental sharpness and financial security in their later years.

• Bret Vesely (10:18):

  "I need to call you every once in a while, make sure you don't have aphasia like Joe Biden."

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Notable Quotes

• Bret Vesely (03:28):

  "If we don't procreate, we're going, no."

• Bret Vesely (12:08):

  "Preparedness is better than... just pop one out completely."

• Mathias (10:19):

  "All right. I'm in."

• Bret Vesely (15:37):

  "We need to come up with a plan. All right? The two of us need to look out for each other."

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Insights and Conclusions

The episode sheds light on the increasing sophistication of scams targeting the elderly, emphasizing the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the personal choice of remaining childless, exploring both the freedoms and potential challenges it presents, especially in the context of aging without familial support.

The discussion also highlights the importance of legal and financial planning, such as establishing trusts and power of attorney, to ensure one's assets are protected regardless of personal circumstances. The humorous yet poignant banter between the hosts underscores the delicate balance between personal freedom and the responsibilities that come with aging.

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Final Thoughts

Holmberg's Morning Sickness successfully intertwines humor with serious societal issues, offering listeners both entertainment and valuable insights into protecting oneself and loved ones from financial fraud. The candid conversations about childlessness and aging without family support resonate with many, prompting reflection on personal choices and future preparedness.

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Tune In: For more engaging and thought-provoking discussions, listen to Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD (97.9 FM), the 98 KUPD app, or visit www.98kupd.com weekdays from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Transcript

[Dick Toledo]

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[Brett]

2 Do not listen to this while driving or when full alertness is needed. The rest of Homeburg's morning sickness this is the big red radio. And Brett, there's something you and I have to worry about. We talk about Dr. Lynn.

[Mathias]

Yeah.

[Brett]

And that made it so. We're going to be childless for the rest of our lives. Damn it all. When I say it, my stomach tingles and I'm happy as I could ever imagine. I got that lady emailing me earlier in the week saying that I'm selfish for having a house with more than two bedrooms. Is those houses were built for families with children. I'm like, well, you know what else? I got a massive amount of land and I run around every day on it. Maybe naked sometimes. Seth Rogen was on Howard Stern. Somebody sent me the clip of him talking about not having kids. And Howard was like, why didn't you have kids? And he goes, none of that looks fun to me. He goes, me and my wife lay in bed naked all day, smoke weed, laugh, run around doing every that seems great. With kids, we couldn't be able to do the things we want. And you know what the first comments were? Selfish. Yeah, that's what he's saying, right? Yeah. He wants to remain that way. He doesn't doesn't feel the need to stop having fun. If we don't procreate, we're going, no.

[Mathias]

That'S Medea and I. We're selfish. We don't want to deal with that same thing. It's better to know that ahead of.

[Brett]

Time than just pop one out completely. But here's something that us childless people need to worry about. Another it's an elderly woman, 76 years old. She's from Arizona. Susan Guthrie, 76, conned by fraudsters who posed as Microsoft employees and said all of your because old people are afraid of the Internet holding their bank stuff. But Everybody's doing it now. So they'll. Look, a lot of the ones will sit and go, I don't like this. And I don't understand the gizmos and the clickety clicks. And so people from Microsoft calling these old folks, just trying to tag them and saying, hey, the whole thing's been compromised. The whole package is up. Your savings account is in jeopardy. Now, we at Microsoft have a program where we can hold your account for you for a little while. You just need to transfer that over to this account, because right now yours is gone if you don't do this. And then the old teacher, Microsoft and I. Okay, so this lady took her whole life savings and all her investments and everything else went over into this Microsoft hold. And she's. You know, people are like, where were her kids to help her out? That's what Brett. That's what they're gonna say about us. If you've got a mother or a.

[Brady]

Father, is there ever a 20 minute, one hour window you're not in touch with your.

[Brett]

Exactly. But still, you should always, like, kind of check in and go. Money's okay, Mom.

[Brady]

Every once in a while about your accounts or anything, call me.

[Brett]

Bunny's susceptible to this. Cause she's by herself and there's been some influx of cash here and this and that. She's kind of figuring it all out alone now. And you never know, so I'm sure the kids have to go, hey, Mom. You doing all right? I asked my mom once. I'm like, just show me your account.

[Ronnie]

I'm not gonna do that. I'll show you. I've got cash.

[Brett]

I'm like, all right, so long as you're covered, we're good here. But you're not giving your money to other people. Oh, no, I'm not. And my mom doesn't dabble on the Internet a lot, so not really susceptible, as far as we know. Hopefully that's a kid's job. You got to take care of your dad.

[Mathias]

Oh, yeah.

[Brett]

Make sure he's not falling for that scam.

[Mathias]

Yeah, he's pretty good with that.

[Brady]

Yeah.

[Mathias]

And when he does have a question, he'll hit me up like, hey, what do you think of this?

[Brett]

I'm like, yeah, don't touch it. Click on that, Right? But you and I are gonna be in our late 70s.

[Mathias]

I don't care.

[Brett]

You don't got no.

[Mathias]

Cause I don't got nothing to leave to anybody at that point. Doesn't matter.

[Brett]

Yeah, but she's still alive. You gotta have money for 70 after that, who cares?

[Mathias]

I'm done.

[Brett]

Brett's dead. Past that.

[Brady]

It's not going to any bra.

[Brett]

Where's my.

[Mathias]

What did I do after 70?

[Brett]

What about Matthiah?

[Mathias]

Oh, she'll. I don't know. It's every man for himself.

[Brett]

Your dad's 76 and he's in great shape.

[Mathias]

If he's got a kid, take care of him. I realize I'm not going to and don't care.

[Brett]

Man, that's brave. Or stupid. I can't decide. I'm pretty sure I'm leaning. I'm leaning one way. I'm leaning pretty hard on one of those two words. So you don't. Because you get scammed and you wake up the next day and you're like, I got no savings. Those Microsoft guys were a joke.

[Mathias]

If I'm in my 70s by that point, I'm not gonna be around my.

[Brett]

Where do you go?

[Mathias]

Doesn't matter. Don't worry about it.

[Brady]

He gets a rope, I'll have enough for a rope. Is that what you're saying?

[Brett]

He went full Sopranos on me. Don't worry about it. Well, you're gonna call me.

[Mathias]

Yeah, maybe.

[Brett]

This is my issue somehow. He's.

[Brady]

He knows people.

[Brett]

Hey. Oh, John. Remember me?

[Mathias]

It'll get handled.

[Brett]

Don't worry about it. Suddenly. No, I don't. I've got all sorts of Alzheimer's kicked in. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway, I'm in the neighborhood and I have a U haul. Can I come over?

[Mathias]

So what's better, having a kid or dealing with that?

[Brett]

Absolutely agree with you there. I'd rather die broke than have a child.

[Mathias]

That's what I'm saying.

[Brett]

Yes. Now, having a kid and they're. Yeah, no, I'm the same. But you'd be pretty upset if Kurt.

[Mathias]

Oh, yeah, no, of course.

[Brett]

Got scammed and got zeroed out because he's got nowhere to go. So it's gonna be you.

[Mathias]

Yeah, no, I agree with that.

[Brett]

Yeah, but we get started thinking about that.

[Mathias]

But I'd rather take that chance, then have a kid.

[Brett]

I'm not saying it's have a kid or this. Yeah.

[Brady]

Yeah.

[Brett]

Well, that's what I thought you were getting. Would you rather we don't have kids?

[Mathias]

Right.

[Brett]

So there's. Nobody's gonna be looking out for us. Brady's got Kirby. She didn't have to worry about him getting 76, so that's not a thing.

[Brady]

She'll have my accounts by then.

[Brett]

Yeah. Ronnie and her new husband will have. Wonderful. But future plan for Kirby provided. Based on Brady's inheritance that's gonna sit and wait for her. Don't worry about it, Kirby. You're good. But daddy's probably not gonna go unless it was for free Kanye tickets for Kirby this weekend. Just give me your account numbers.

[Ronnie]

Well, if you need them.

[Brady]

Oh, but what you're saying. I mean, we. We between my brother and sister. And, you know, I've talked to Bunny numerous times.

[Brett]

Absolutely.

[Brady]

She's pretty aware. For the most part, she knows anything on the phone.

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Brady]

No.

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Brady]

And then she has someone that. Hey, she does have someone that handles the stuff, like if there's a big purchase or whatever.

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Brady]

And there's still. She's still old school in a way that she'll like any kind of transaction. She'll go to the bank.

[Brett]

She goes to the bank. Yeah. You know, I'm worried because I used to think my dad had it all figured out. And then about 10 years ago, my dad's 66 at this time, he calls me up and asks me if I want some speakers. I said, what? Yeah, just got a whole bunch of speakers. I'm like, why? Well, this guy. Too good a deal. Where were you? The bashes? What? Yeah, the guy in the parking lot had a van full of them. I think they're pretty good. I'm like, oh, no. With the flyer and everything.

[Mathias]

Yeah.

[Brett]

These things might as well have been made at play.

[Mathias]

D'oh.

[Brady]

There's an overstock of the warehouse.

[Brett]

This is what happened. The two good ones he bought weren't bad. Everything in the box, he bought like nine. And like, I thought I'd get them for you, and I don't. And there were the old five and a half foot towers. And I'm like, that had it the.

[Mathias]

Size of Larry McFeely.

[Brett]

Exactly. They were the McFeely's. Ironically, that was the brand name. Yeah. Difference between these speakers and Larry itself is I couldn't wait to get him out of the house. It's weird. So. And then. And then he hits me. His last visit, that he doesn't have his. He's got a piece of paper that says what he wants all of his. I'm like, you don't have your estate. And I'm. I'm kind of a born again estate plan. Here we go. Here we go. I'm one of those dudes now. Now that I know a little bit about it, I'm like, how could you not? But for years, I didn't do it. But now that. That Trajan wealth thing just changed my life. That was such an eye Opener. But he tells me he's got. Well, I got it on a piece of paper and a safe. They'll know what to do. I'm like, who? No, no, no. To my. My. Where I want my wishes. Like, no, no, no, no. You've watched too much Perry Mason. That's not how this works. Like, besides that, what happens when you get too sick to make decisions? Who's got medical power of attorney? You know this. I'll tell them. What? What? When you're incapacitated, you're gonna puke that out for a second. Idiot. So he's got a meeting and he's finally gonna get to. But I thought for sure my dad had this in order. For sure. Nope, not even a little. So then I start to wonder, is. Is the old man all right? Is he susceptible to one of these speaker salesman only Microsoft guys? But I don't think he's gonna do that. He still pens and papers all of his finance. We were talking about something the other day that we're both invested in, and he's telling me numbers. I'm like, how do you know these offhand? Are you looking at a computer? He goes, no, I'm writing it down like, I've got my notepad. Oh, my God. Like, you're like Rain man. The little man Tate.

[Mathias]

My dad does his banking online, but still has. Still has the paper. And it gets it down to the damn penny.

[Brett]

My dad does it all down to the penny on paper and then checks his work on the computer.

[Mathias]

That's what my dad does, too.

[Brett]

And if it's wrong in the computer, he questions the computer. Nope. Banks got this wrong. And I'll tell you, most of the time, he's correct. Holmberg's morning sickness, however. So you and I. And I loved your answer of don't worry about it, but I don't think that applies here. Brett. Hey, don't worry. I'm in my 70s. Don't worry about it. But when you're in your 70s, you're gonna be thinking to yourself, I'm worried about it.

[Mathias]

You know, I would rather deal with it then than deal with 18 years of some freeloading piece of.

[Brett]

You keep thinking of that child. You don't.

[Mathias]

God damn right. I thought that's what you were saying. I thought that's what you do.

[Brady]

The same thing as far as doing that trust thing. You're saying that now. Get it done now.

[Brett]

I'm not even talking about the trust. He's locked in on the idea of a kid being the alternative to Making sure you don't do this. I'm not saying that. I'm saying we need to come up with a plan. All right? The two of us need to look out for each other.

[Mathias]

All right?

[Brett]

Yeah. I need to be well. I need to call you every once in a while, make sure you don't have aphasia like Joe Biden. And start telling me things like, oh, Brett's susceptible. And then I'll talk to Mathias if she's still around, if she comes to her senses anytime soon.

[Brady]

But that's one of the things that you determine, like executor, if something were to happen. Here's the pecking order.

[Brett]

But sure, but that's when you've taken over. But executors, after you've. You've got the power of attorney. You don't have that right now. I don't have that with my dad. So it doesn't really matter who's got that until it kicks in. Right now, he could give all his savings away. I don't have.

[Brady]

I don't have control of it while they're alive. You know, when families have to make that decision. If they're okay, they're mentally.

[Brett]

But that's. That's down the road. Brady. My dad's not mentally screwed up. So he can currently, right now, fall for a scam and have access to all of his money and give it away. Brett and I are probably going to end up living together in our 70s. Probably some sort of weird like, how did we do make it better? You're going to get smart and they're going to be like. They'll probably end up peace gathered. Yeah. Yeah. Look, I know for a fact Meghan doesn't even like me. That's you. You're on your way. I see your eyes.

[Mathias]

Oh, yeah.

[Brett]

There's nothing about that. Ronnie checked out on you years ago. No wives like us. So it's best for us to plan our weird apartment life together.

[Mathias]

And you know, until then, I'll be calling you up. Are you cutting holes in books for cash or what?

[Brett]

Met a lady online who was a colonel in the Nigerian air force. And giving her ten grand.

[Brady]

Got an opportunity.

[Brett]

Yeah, we have to check in on it. My point being, Mr. Don't worry about it is we need to come up with. To check in with each other. The one flaw of not having kids is that nobody's there to guard the money. And kids suck because they guard the money. Cuz they want it to be theirs. Oh, yeah, but they guard the money. You and I got no. We're. We're sitting there wide open, vulnerable. So we got a packed.

[Mathias]

All right, I'm in.

[Brett]

Jesus Christ. I don't think I want a pack with this guy.

[Mathias]

Hey, I thought you were talking about having a kid.

[Brett]

Now, with you, I would know. We get a doctor.

[Mathias]

Well, two male.

[Brett]

I'm telling you right now, you and I would look good.

[Mathias]

Your neighbors got it right.

[Brett]

Yeah. And then they look at us in our 70s going, that's our little daughter, Quan Lee. We got her last summer. She's seven now, and she's already an accountant. Goddamn right. Maybe we should adopt a Chinese. All right, let's make this pack together. When Megan finally says out loud and goes, which is close. There's no possible. It's been so many years. Nobody can tolerate me that long. I see. Mathia, probably another 5 to 10 on you before that face starts out that long. All right, maybe not so sure after this conversation. Not so sure. You and I go full gay and adopt a little Asian kid to do our accounting.

[Mathias]

Brilliant. I'm in.

[Brett]

By then, neither of us can get it up anymore. So full gay.

[Mathias]

It doesn't matter.

[Brett]

Anything other than we're just going to spring training games together, right? We're just gonna be hitting socks and Diamondbacks games together. It'll be fun.

[Mathias]

And we could travel to those games, too, because, you know, money sucking kids, right?

[Brett]

And we're keeping an eye on each other. Now, once one of us goes south and haywire, that little Asian kid has to start doing finances. Asian kids not allowed to the ball games, though. Just at home doing math. Yeah.

[Mathias]

Long duck Dong.

[Brett]

You stay at home. Well, we're gonna fight over the name. Hopefully she shows up with the name. I prefer Quan Lee. You like long duck? I'm not a big fan of either. Brady, you don't have to worry about this. You'll. You'll be dead long before Ronnie comes to her senses. Or Kirby is. You know, you're being infiltrated. Yeah, it's not gonna happen. You've got protection everywhere. You're surrounded by living people. You just have to worry about what you got for you. Going the right spot and not blowing all your money on Kanye ticks. You know, the biggest scam artist you got in your house is Kirby. Oh, she's the one that makes you spend the most money on things you don' do best grifter around. Daddy, Kanye's in town this weekend.

[Ronnie]

All right, I'll hit the.

[Brett]

I'm going online and as rose colored glasses. How much you want Rose colored glasses and horse trader as you are, eventually you're going to be in a bad bundle.

[Ronnie]

Thought I was getting the sweetest thing. I ended up in a box of sandpaper in Mexico eating chicken heads and water. Stupid Kanye show. I thought I had a trade.

[Brett]

Just from there on, use the money. Yeah, I didn't mean to offend you, Brett, but when you're in your 70s, I bet your tune changes. Hey, I lost all my money anyway. What the but damn right I didn't lose my gun. Nobody's gonna miss this. And that's the other thing. When you do fall for the scam in our two bedroom apartment, when we're old and gay together, no paint in the walls. We have to have a deal that suicide is pills only. Oh, yeah. I don't want to come home.

[Mathias]

Exhaust pipe in the car or something like that.

[Brett]

Keep it clean.

[Mathias]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

[Brett]

I don't need you, you know, spray painting all over, you know. I don't. Wagner power.

[Mathias]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Brett]

I gotta scrub walls and it's never quite off.

[Mathias]

We gotta have our house rules right away.

[Brett]

Yeah, house rules when you kill yourself. And we will keep it clean.

[Brady]

Terps.

[Brett]

Yeah, the phrase forget about it can't apply to. Did you fall to for a scam? Still gonna pay half the rent. But you and I will get smart because we'll go reverse mortgage with the plan of murder.

[Mathias]

You got nothing to leave to anybody. It doesn't matter.

[Brett]

We kill ourselves at reverse mortgage. They get screwed. It's brilliant. Now keep in mind, neither of us are gonna have much left because we're gonna get halved hard. Matter of time, I think it's becoming audible at my house.

[Brady]

Another band name. Halved Hard.

[Brett]

Have Hard is pretty good. Megan literally looks across. It's becoming audible like I think that's just part of marriage. But it's becoming audible across the couch. When she makes eye contact with me, I just hear, ugh. I'm like, oh, geez. I can hear that. Oh, sorry. It's just the dog farted. Okay, thanks. And Mathia does it too. She look. Yeah, she's not happy with everything. Look at this. Sluggish. What is that gonna age like? Yuck. Yeah. In her head. And it's because that's how I feel too. In her head, she has to just constantly think it's getting worse. And she's not wrong, this one.

[Mathias]

I didn't think it could get worse. Hold my beer.

[Brett]

How is Squidward better looking now? Like he's uglier than it's terrible. And so occasionally I'll hear, ugh. And I look over, and she's looking right at me. And she wears these glasses at night. So now I know I'm clearer. It's the worst thing that could have happened. She puts, like, night glasses on to read, because screens or blue lights and whatever cause problems with your eyes. And I'm like, what happened? I came out the other night for the gala. I'm in a suit. I'm like, hey, I feel pretty good. And that was it. That's what I got.

[Mathias]

Is that what you call it?

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Brady]

Well, let's go have some fun.

[Brett]

If I'd have said to her, that's interesting. Oh, that's a compliment. I'll take that as a compliment. Interesting. And then Erica, the other girl that went, looks at me and goes, interesting suit. Why is it interesting? It's the same suit as the guys over there. We're all wearing the same thing. Why is mine interesting? I didn't think you had human form. Doesn't look good. You're not human. It's out of control now. 98 KUPD.