Podcast Summary: The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: 12.22.25 Avoid Fraud 2 Ways / The Outlook On Gas Prices
Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Clark Howard
Co-Host: Krista

Episode Overview

This special holiday edition of The Clark Howard Podcast blends heartfelt giving with practical consumer advice. Clark and Krista start by discussing their annual "Clark's Christmas Kids" charity drive, aiming to bring joy to children in foster care. The episode then pivots to two primary topics: how to avoid prevalent scams (with a focus on payment security and phishing), and current trends in gas prices, including why they're likely to remain low. The hosts also answer listener questions on credit card perks, sales tax quirks, health sharing plans, car rentals, and travel deals—offering actionable tips throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clark’s Christmas Kids and the Power of Giving

[00:43 – 03:15]

• The episode opens with Clark and Krista describing the ongoing fundraising for Clark’s Christmas Kids, an initiative to buy gifts for children in foster care.
• Highlights the emotional impact:

  "The fact that a stranger cared about them and loved them enough to buy them the gift means so much." – Clark Howard [02:32]

• The tradition’s longevity is underscored as recipients from years ago now donate with their own kids, showing the event's lasting significance.

2. Fraud Prevention: Two Essential Strategies

A. Payment Storage Risks
[03:16 – 07:28]

• Clark urgently warns against saving credit or debit card info on shopping sites for convenience.

  "Do not store a form of payment in there...the hassle when somebody without you realizing it having hacked in, starts buying stuff as if they're you, it's a mess." – Clark Howard [06:17]

• Hackers exploit stored payment info to make unauthorized purchases, sometimes going unnoticed for long periods.
• Debit card users are particularly vulnerable since fraudulent charges can instantly drain cash.
• Clark concedes entering payment manually is tedious but insists it is “worth it” for security.

B. Amazon Phishing Scams
[03:16 – 07:28]

• A rampant scam involves fraudsters impersonating Amazon security, using stolen info to seem convincing as they attempt to gain account access.
• Clark clarifies:

  “Amazon Security is not trying to contact you about somebody trying to get into your account. That is just bogus.” – Clark Howard [04:36]

3. Listener Questions and Practical Money Advice

A. Credit Card Perks & Memberships

[07:28 – 08:41]

• Listener Tip: The Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card ($49 fee) reimburses the full cost ($139) of Amazon Prime.

  "It's not completely free, but it's much more reasonable price for prime benefits at $49." – Art in Texas, read by Krista [07:33]

• Some American Express cards offer Walmart+ memberships as a perk.

B. Warehouse Club Sales Tax Oddities

[08:41 – 11:00]

• Listener notes BJ's charges sales tax based on pre-discount price, not sale price, on items with manufacturer discounts.
• Clark explains certain states treat manufacturer discounts as rebates, requiring tax on full price.

  "The state taxing authorities say that it's a rebate, not a discount." – Clark Howard [10:19]

C. Faith-Based Health Reimbursement Plans vs. Insurance

[11:00 – 13:40]

• These are not insurance—they are cost-sharing pools, often faith-based, and not subject to insurance regulations.
• Lower cost but high risk for expensive or chronic conditions, and exclusions may apply.

  "It's when the chips are down, when somebody’s got something really serious, that they could end up exposed." – Clark Howard [12:18]

4. The Outlook on Gas Prices

[15:41 – 18:53]

• Clark shares optimistic news: gas prices are falling and will likely continue trending down through 2026 due to oversupply and softening demand.
• Wholesale gas prices are as low as $1.78/gallon, with some retail stations in Texas offering sub-$2 prices.

  "The trend is absolutely your friend. What's going on with gas prices?...There's an oversupply of oil being dug out of the ground, creating an overhang..." – Clark Howard [15:44]

• Increasing EV and hybrid sales are eroding gas demand; Clark explains fleet turnover is slow, but the trend is clear.
• Clark warns that geopolitical issues could alter this outlook, but right now, "the overall trend is excess supply to the benefit of your wallet." [18:29]

5. More Listener Questions: Saving and Protecting Your Wallet

Renting vs. Driving Your Own Car for Long Trips

[18:53 – 20:08]

• For trips like "2,000 miles over one week," Clark strongly recommends renting to avoid wear, tear, and hidden costs on your own car.

  "Figure that per mile in your own vehicle...it costs you about, about 60 cents a mile." – Clark Howard [19:24]

Rental Car Scams and Protection Tips

[20:11 – 22:23]

• Rental car companies can hit customers with bogus damage charges. Hertz, in particular, is flagged as problematic.
• Clark’s advice:
  • Always shoot a thorough video of the car/Turo before and after your rental
  • Retain the footage for 90 days to protect yourself from false claims

Medium-Term Apartment and Car Leasing for Extended Visits

[22:23 – 23:59]

• Suggests short-term apartment leasing (3-6 month cycles) over hotel stays for extended visits to family.
• Recommends Sixt rental car subscriptions for flexible, economical vehicle use during long stays.

Positive Customer Service Story: Walmart & Surveillance

[23:59 – 25:07]

• A listener recounts Walmart using security footage to resolve a lost item at self-checkout.

  "I was impressed by the use of the technology to resolve my case...shows the positive side of surveillance." – Victor in Alaska [24:25]

• Clark praises using technology for customer benefit, not just loss prevention.

Booking Hotels: Trusting Discount Sites

[26:09 – 29:18]

• Las Vegas hotel rooms are sometimes much cheaper on third-party booking sites than directly via hotels.
• Caution: many discount travel sites are unreliable—always check third-party reviews.
• Be ready for hidden resort fees: "$11 hotel room...over a hundred bucks a night [with fees]." – Clark Howard [27:55]
• Clark often uses Priceline, Hotels.com, and Booking.com for lower rates but notes you may forfeit rewards points.

Humorous Ending: Dog-Naming Suggestions

[29:18 – 30:32]

• Listener suggests Clark name his next dog "Buck 50 All Beef" (after the famous Costco hot dog deal).

  "'Buck 50 all beef.'...But buck 50. Little buck. Come here, Buck." – Krista & Clark [30:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They are trying to Grinch your wallet all year long.” – Clark Howard on scammers [03:16]
• "Do not store a form of payment in there...it's hazardous to your wallet." – Clark Howard [06:17]
• "You got to know what you're buying with the much lower premium." – Clark Howard on health share plans [13:11]
• "The trend is absolutely your friend. What's going on with gas prices?...There’s an oversupply of oil being dug out of the ground..." – Clark Howard [15:44]
• "You’ve got about a 1 in 30 chance...the rental agency is going to try to charge you for supposed damage." – Clark Howard [21:30]
• "I'll accept lower quality for a lower price." – Clark Howard on Dyson vs. Costco bargains [29:51]

Important Timestamps

| Section | Timestamp | |----------------------|---------------| | Clark's Christmas Kids & Giving | 00:43 – 03:15 | | Fraud Prevention (Amazon scam, payment storage) | 03:16 – 07:28 | | Credit Card/Prime Perks | 07:28 – 08:41 | | Warehouse Club Sales Tax | 08:41 – 11:00 | | Health Share Plans vs Insurance | 11:00 – 13:40 | | Gas Price Outlook | 15:41 – 18:53 | | Renting vs Driving Own Car | 18:53 – 20:08 | | Rental Car Video Evidence | 20:11 – 22:23 | | Leasing Apt & Sixt Car Subscription | 22:23 – 23:59 | | Walmart Positive CS Story | 23:59 – 25:07 | | Booking Hotels via Discount Sites | 26:09 – 29:18 | | Dog-Naming Banter | 29:18 – 30:32 |

Tone & Style

Clark’s signature blend of practical advice, warmth, and light humor runs throughout, with a dedication to consumer empowerment and a clear, accessible delivery style. The episode is peppered with actionable tips, warnings about common pitfalls, and personal touches illustrating Clark’s thrifty philosophy.

For more resources and questions:
Visit clark.com or submit a question at clark.com/askclark.