What time is it? 4:23? Thanks.You could have gotten the answer from your phone, a sign in front of a bank or dozens of other sources. So, why spend $150,000 for a Rolex to give you the same information.Luxuries are perceptions and scammers use those perceptions to make you think you're getting a very good deal on something that can perform the same function for far fewer dollars. Scammers have exploited those dreams for centuries, but now marketers have refined those techniques to scam us in legal ways.Listen in because, as always, we'll tell you how it's done and why we fall for it.

It’s a simple game. It’s just a guy flipping three cards on top of a worn cardboard box.If you’re the sucker, the game is easy. It’s meant to be that way. A lot of effort by a lot of people has gone into creating that scene. No wonder Three Card Monte is called the longest running show on Broadway.The sucker sees it as a game of skill. They believe they can outwit the tosser. What the sucker doesn’t realize is that the game is not about the cards, it’s about getting the sucker to put all the money they have on the box and walk away with nothing. And it can be done in about eight minutes.In this episode, Chef Anton will walk you through how it’s done. And he should know, he is a veteran of the streets. These days, he uses his skills to entertain at trade shows and events and to get free drinks in bars.And he is likely to continue doing just that. As his title, Chef, declares: “Cons Hustle Everyone Forever.”Chef AntonSchool for Scoundrels

If you are a six and a 10 shows interest in you, at the very least you’d feel flattered. You might even spend a little time with them just to feed your ego.And if that contact happens online, it seems even better.  No dinners to buy. No gifts to exchange. And you can walk away at any time.But if the person on the other end of the line is a scammer, it might not be as easy as you think. You’ll be showered with attention, endless flattery and the person will seem to have a genuine interest in you. It might even include some “interesting” photos. Why stop? It’s an online thing and you can stop any time.Then one day your future spouse needs help. Their situation is serious, they confess to you. They may even have to sell their home to survive. The scammer doesn’t ask for more and rebuffs any offers you make to help, but, eventually, they agree and you send the money and feel good about it. What you don’t know is that you have just become prey for the Russian Bride Scam.In this episode, I’ll tell you how it works, you’ll hear from scam victims and customer service reps from companies that enable the scammers.Your love may have been sincere, but it blinded you to their torrid affair with your wallet.

We're taking a break for the holidays, but we'll be back early next year. In the meantime, please enjoy some replays that have been a hit among our fans.

Scammers might take people for a little or a lot of money. Sometimes their scams ruin people's lives and leave them feeling unsafe -- maybe for the rest of their lives.In this episode, scammers tell us how they became scammers and how they rationalize what they do.

Scammers become other people to convince you to turn over your money, but sometimes they want something else. Your pity, your admiration or your love.We take a look at imposters and why they do what they do.And check out the Pretend podcast. It's one of our favorites and when you hear Javier's story about a reported stalker, you'll be amazed!Support the show

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People are coming back from the future. Some want computers to help solve problems for which the need ancient software, while others need some cold, hard cash to survive in this primitive world of ours.People are handing money over to these con artists without asking a simple question: Why are future IT people too stupid to keep their technology up-to-date and they need to travel back in time so we can fix it for them?Support the show

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Con artists are using wanting to get into your pants for a wallet, but there are those who are looking for something else.In this episode, we tell you how pick-up artists, wings and matchmakers work.Support the show

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Season 5 launches September 7 and here's a full episode on how con artists use misdirection to sucker people in.We believe Season 5 is our best yet with stories about pick-up artists, time travel scammers, how con artists justify what they do, fake medical cures and much, much more.Plus we're going weekly with our new feature called Scams & Cons News that will bring you up-to-date with real scams happening in the field right now.We look forward to being back with you again and that's no misdirection!Support the show

Scams & Cons News begins officially this September, but we thought we'd give you and update on some of the things happening this summer.See you in September!Support the show

The new season of Scams & Cons begins Sept. 8 with an episode about Blackmail, but in the meantime, we thought we'd share one of our most popular episodes -- Parking Lot Scams.Parking Lot ScamsSome would say parking lots themselves are scams: $20 for two hours. Really?!!!They are also places where, for at least a short time, you’re trapped. When backing out of your parking space, someone could rap on your window, and ask for money to buy food or for a bus ticket to get home. There is no escape and you must deal with the situation somehow.There are many more scams that depend upon confronting you in vulnerable moment. In this episode, you’ll learn what they are and how con artists manipulate you into giving them money, even when you know you’re being scammed. 

Summer is for kicking back on the porch with some cheap wine and hot wings -- that is unless you live here in the Southeast where temps of 90+ have been common for about three weeks now.Instead, we'll be kickin' back here at the ranch reflecting on the ending of Scams & Cons' second season and the upcoming Season 3 coming this fall. We're already well at work with stories about blackmail, cults and the Mustard Con.We'll be in touch when we get ready start Season 3, so, choose a temperature-appropriate spot, dangle your feet in the water and stay safe.