Vault: Phone Scam - Booted Car

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: Phone Scam – Booted Car
Date: December 12, 2025
Platform: Pionaire Podcasting
Featured Host: Rudy (Bert Show Host)
Guest: Jim Stamps (target of the phone scam)

---

Main Theme

The focus of this episode is a classic “phone scam” segment, where Rudy from The Bert Show orchestrates a playful prank on a listener, Jim Stamps. The premise: Jim—already wary from a past experience—receives a call informing him that his legally parked car has been booted yet again, and he must pay to have it removed. What ensues is a comedic exchange layering frustration, confusion, and ultimately, the big reveal.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting Up the Scam

• Host Context: Rudy opens by sharing his own recurring “parking boot” anxieties as a relatable intro, setting the reason for the prank (01:36).
  • “I don’t know why I have this fear…if I park, if I don’t pay…some dude…goes, ‘Let’s get that one and wait for my $50 cash.’”
• Victim Background: Jim had recently paid for a monthly parking spot but still was targeted for a boot. His coworkers tipped off The Bert Show after Jim’s first ordeal, making him the perfect target for the prank (01:36-01:59).

The Prank Call Begins: Playing It Straight

• Initial Call: Rudy, posing as the parking lot attendant, calls Jim and calmly tells him he needs to bring $75 to unboot his car, “just a courtesy phone call.”
  • Jim: “I shouldn’t have a boot on my car. I paid for the spot, so…” (02:38)
• Pushback: Jim is immediately confused and frustrated, insisting repeatedly that he’s paid legally and shouldn't be booted again (02:48-03:53).
  • Jim: “I mean, obviously, if I’m paying for the spot, you can take the boot off, right?” (03:11)

Comedic Escalation: The Runaround

• Rudy’s Excuses: Rudy suggests paperwork delays as the “reason” for the boot, shifting the blame:
  • “The lot owner hasn’t filled out the paperwork and faxed it over to us yet, so we don’t know that your car is legally parked there.” (03:53-04:09)
• Administrative Dead End: Even after Jim offers to have paperwork faxed, Rudy sticks to his line, calmly repeating the $75 demand.
  • “Sure, but today it’s $75 and you can do that cash or credit card or you can, you know…” (04:35)

Notable Frustration and Humor

• Jim’s Boiling Point: Jim remains polite but increasingly frazzled, asserting the absurdity:
  • “Look, Rudy, I understand you’re just doing your job, but I mean I’m not paying $75 for a boot on a car that’s legally parked. I mean, that’d be ridiculous.” (04:42)
• Dialogue Highlights:
  • Rudy’s Dad Joke: “Are you getting dizzy by any chance?” (05:02)
    • Jim (confused): “Am I getting what?” (05:04)
    • Rudy: “Well, we just keep going round and round and round and round and round and round.” (05:09)
• Climax:
  • Jim: “This is friggin ridiculous, right?” (05:13)
  • Rudy (dryly): “I 100% completely understand. So.” (05:28)

The Reveal

• Call to Supervisor: Jim threatens to call the police, seeking escalation as the only resolution (05:56-06:21).
• Surprise Reveal:
  • Rudy: “Okay, all right, then you call the cops and let them know when you talk to them that you just got phone scammed. This is Jeff with the Bert Show at all the hits Q100 and you’ve just been phone scammed.” (06:25)
  • Jim, in shock: “Crap. You’ve just been phone scammed by all of your new co-workers at the office who told us how upset you were at the first boot.” (06:46)
• Relief and Laughter: Jim laughs, admits defeat, and takes the joke in stride.
  • Jim: “That’s very funny…I appreciated the joke.” (06:59)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Parking Anxiety - Setting the Scene:
  • Rudy: “I’m convinced there’s no such thing as an official boot…let’s get that one and wait for my $50 cash.” (01:36)
• Jim’s Rational Plea:
  • “I paid for a lot, you know, and I don’t understand why you booted the car in the first place.” (03:32)
• Dad Joke Pivot:
  • Rudy: “Are you getting dizzy by any chance?” (05:02)
    • Jim: “Am I getting what?” (05:04)
    • Rudy: “Well, we just keep going round and round and round and round and round and round.” (05:09)
• Peak Frustration:
  • Jim: “This is friggin ridiculous, right?” (05:13)
• Final Reveal:
  • Rudy: “You’ve just been phone scammed by all of your new co-workers…” (06:25)
  • Jim: “Oh my God. All right, well, I appreciate it. Thanks very much. That’s very funny.” (06:46)

---

Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:36 – 01:59: Rudy sets up the context and launches the call.
• 02:18 – 04:42: Jim’s confusion and frustration escalate as Rudy persists with boot fees.
• 05:02 – 05:13: Rudy’s “dizzy” joke breaks the tension.
• 05:44 – 06:21: Jim threatens to call the police; the situation reaches a peak.
• 06:25 – 06:59: The prank is revealed; laughter and relief follow.

---

Tone & Atmosphere

Lighthearted, playful, and very “Bert Show”—the segment balances prank tension with comedic timing, using everyday frustrations (parking woes) as fuel for entertainment. Jim’s genuine reactions amplify the humor, while Rudy maintains an even-keeled and cheeky demeanor.

---

Conclusion

This Vault episode is a hallmark of The Bert Show’s approachable, funny, and authentic style—from host Rudy’s opening quips to the perfectly executed “gotcha.” Perfect for listeners who appreciate relatable humor, good-natured pranks, and a window into daily life’s little absurdities.

---

Transcript

[Pets Best Announcer]

Protect your pet with insurance from Pets Best plans start from less than a dollar a day. Visit petsbest.com Pet insurance products offered and administered by PetsBest Insurance Services LLC are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Co. Or Independence American Insurance Co. For terms and conditions, visit www.petsbest.com. policy products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Co. Or Ms. Transverse Insurance Co. And administered by Pets Best Insurance Services LLC. $1.00 a day premium based on 2024 average new policyholder data for accident and illness plans. Pets age 0 to 10.

[Hers Weight Loss Advertiser]

Trying to take care of yourself can feel impossible between work, holidays life where are we supposed to fit in the whole weight loss plan? Right? That's where hers can come into the picture. With hers you can get connected to a real medical provider who actually listens and helps you figure out what's right for you. And if you're prescribed weight loss medication, it comes with a full doctor developed program with check ins, dosage adjustments, 24. 7 online support with no hidden fees, no memberships and none of the confusing stuff. They have affordable oral medication kits and GLP1 injectables and the oral kits start at just $69 a month. With the 10 month plan paid up front, it all feels really doable. So if you're struggling and want something that fits your real life, hers can help. Whether you want to lose weight, grow thicker, fuller hair, or find relief for anxiety, hers has you covered. Visit4hers.com Bert to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you that's f o r h e r s.com Bert or hers.comb weight loss by hers is not available everywhere. Competitive drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness or quality by the fda. Prescription required. See website for full details. Important safety information and restrictions. Actual price depends on product and plan.

[Burt Show Host]

Purch you're on the Burt Show Brand.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

New Burt show phone scam calling up a guy. I don't know why I have this fear whenever I go out in Atlanta, if I park, if I don't pay, you know, some dude 10 or 15 bucks to park in a lot, I'm convinced I'm gonna come out and there's gonna be a boot on my car. And then I'm convinced there's no such thing as an official boot. Like, I think they're all people who just own boots and they go to parking lots and go, let's get that one and wait for my $50 cash. So I call this guy up who has the same exact fear he Paid for a parking lot. Parking spot in a lot for the entire month. I still booted him.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Hello, this is Jim Stiv.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Hi, Jim. How are you?

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

I'm fine. How can I help you?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Good. My name is Rudy, and I call in. Just a courtesy phone call. We've. We've talked before. Just want to give you a heads up to hit the ATM before you come out to the parking lot, because we got another boot on your car.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

I shouldn't have a boot on my car. I paid for the spot, so.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Right. I'm the one that you paid last time you got booted. Right.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Well, I mean, there's been some kind of a mistake because I'm not actually parked illegally this time. I'm paying for a spot in the lot.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Right. It's $75 to take the boot off, and you just got to pay that in cash. Or you can do the credit card thing again, but that'll take a few minutes because we'll have to.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

You're not understanding, though. I mean, like, I actually paid for the spot, so, I mean, I pay a monthly fee, and I don't have to worry about getting booted. So, I mean, there's been some kind of a mistake. So, I mean, obviously. I mean, obviously, if I'm paying for the spot, you can take the boot off. Right.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

So it's $75 cash. Or if you want to do the credit card thing, you'll have to meet me down at the parking office.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

I'm sorry. I'm telling you, there's some kind of a mistake. I mean, I've been. I just started working here, and, you know, I pay for a lot in. You know, and I don't understand why you booted the car in the first place. There's been. I mean, you know, I need to talk to a supervisor or something, but, I mean, this is.

[Co-worker 1]

That's ridiculous.

[Co-worker 2 / Knox (Podcast Host)]

Let me.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Let me. I'm gonna try to guess what happened here. You probably paid, you know, the monthly fee, and then the lot owner hasn't filled out the paperwork and fax it over to us yet, so we don't know that your car is legally parked there.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

So now what do I have to do? Do I have to get the guy to just fax you something or what?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Yeah, you could. Yeah. I mean, I would talk, you know, next time you see him or whatever, give him a call and have them fax that. But obviously, I'm not in the office now, so in the meantime.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Well, not. I mean, I'm not planning on. I mean, the Only time I'm going out is later on I got. I'm going to the airport so I mean, I need to have the boot off my car, obviously. Can I have him fax you something tomorrow?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Sure, but today it's $75 and you can do that cash or credit card or you can, you know.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Look, Rudy, I understand you're just doing your job, but I mean, I'm not paying $75 for boot on a car that's legally parked. I mean, that'd be ridiculous.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Okay, I'll be back through here then at the same time tomorrow and we can work it out then.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

No, no, no, no, no, no. I'm sorry, but tomorrow's no good. I just told you I'm leaving today.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Can I ask you a question?

[Co-worker 2 / Knox (Podcast Host)]

Yeah.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Are you getting dizzy by any chance?

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Am I getting what?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Dizzy.

[Co-worker 1]

Dizzy?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Yeah.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

I don't understand.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Well, we just keep going round and round and round and round and round and round.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

It's not. I mean, if we're going around and around, it's not my problem because I've paid for the spot and if I paid for the spot, I don't expect.

[Co-worker 1]

To get a boot, right?

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

You understand what I'm saying? I mean, like, it's freaking ridiculous, right?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

I 100% completely understand, so.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Okay, great, then you can take the.

[Co-worker 1]

Boot off a car, right?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

For $75.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

You've got to be friggin kidding me. I'm not paying $75 for a boot.

[Co-worker 1]

That'S on a legally parked car.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Okay, so then how are you gonna drive the car to the airport? Do you see how you're kind of in a car?

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

You know what, Let me ask you, do you got a supervisor there? You have somebody who like runs the place?

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

I kind of run the joint.

[Co-worker 1]

I should call the police. I mean this is friggin ridiculous.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

You gonna call the police and tell them what?

[Co-worker 1]

Tell them that you've booted a car that's legally parked.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

How do they know it's legally parked?

[Co-worker 1]

Well, I can, I can.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Okay, look, you know what?

[Co-worker 1]

This is ridiculous.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

We've been doing this. I got a five minute limit per call, we're at four and a half so I'm gonna have to let you go youo gonna meet me with the 75 bucks or not?

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

No, no, you know what? Okay, I'm gonna call, I'm gonna call the cops because this is freaking ridiculous.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

Okay, all right, then you call the cops and let them know when you talk to them that you just got phone scammed. This is Jeff with the Burt show it all the hits, Q100 and you've just been phone scammed.

[Co-worker 1]

Holy crap.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

You've just been phone scammed by all of your new co workers at the office who told us how upset you were at the first boot.

[Jim Stiv (Prank Call Victim)]

Oh my God. All right, well, I appreciate it. Thanks very much. That's very funny. I'll have to make sure I make sure I tell everybody I appreciated the joke.

[Co-worker 1]

We will.

[Rudy (Prank Caller)]

We will scam you.

[Burt Show Host]

You're on the Burt Show. Here's how to stay alive longer so you can enjoy Boost Mobile's unlimited plan with a price that never goes up. Do not mistake a wasp nest for a pinata. Stay alive and switch now at boost mobile. After 30 gigs, customers may experience lower speeds. Customers will pay $25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Mobile unlimited plan.

[Michelle Bernstein (Chef and Cosentyx Spokesperson)]

Mic check 12 Are we recording? Hi, I'm Michelle Bernstein, an award winning chef, restaurateur and mom. I have a lot on my plate, including my psoriatic arthritis symptoms. That's why I was prescribed Cosentyx. It helps me move better.

[Cosentyx Medical Disclaimer Reader]

Cosentyx Secukenumab is prescribed for people 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis. Don't use if you're allergic to Cosentyx before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. An increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur. Like tuberculosis or other serious bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Some were fatal. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms like fevers, sweats, chills, muscle aches or cough, had a vaccine or planned to or if inflammatory bowel disease symptoms develop or worsen, serious allergic reactions and severe eczema like skin reactions may occur. Learn more at 1-844-cosentyx or cosentyx.com Ask.

[Michelle Bernstein (Chef and Cosentyx Spokesperson)]

Your rheumatologist about Cosentyx.

[Co-worker 2 / Knox (Podcast Host)]

Hi, this is Knox from the podcast with Knox and Jamie. What are you reaching for? If you're a smoker or a vaper, you're reaching for nicotine satisfaction and all the problems that come with smoking or vaping. But you could be reaching for Zen nicotine pouches. Let's talk about Zen helps you reach for first. It helps with variety. 10 flavored and unflavored Zen varieties in either 3mg or 6mg strengths and also because Zen is smoke free, you don't have to think about lingering smells or clunky devices. Whatever you're reaching for, reach for it with America's number one nicotine pouch brand. Find your [e-mail] that's z y n.com warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.