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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

The Perfect Scam

AARP
Scams
AARP
Identity Theft
Romance Scams
Fraud Prevention
Fraud
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Cryptocurrency
Job Scams
Elder Abuse
Scam Baiting
FBI
Tech Support Scams
Scamming
Financial Fraud
Remote Work
Youtube
Reverse Mortgage
Cryptocurrency Scams
Online Scams

AARP's weekly podcast The Perfect ScamSM tells the stories of people who find themselves the target of a scam. Host Bob Sullivan introduces listeners to those who have experienced scams firsthand, as well as professional con artists and leading experts who pull back the curtain on how scammers operate.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes339Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

Latest Episodes

In the charming small town of Hamilton, New York, home of Colgate University, Burt Marshall is a well-known figure. He prepares taxes and sells insurance to many residents, sponsors local youth sports teams, and is frequently seen riding his bicycle ... more

In this 2024 episode, Daniel no longer lives in his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut, but he still owns a plot of land that was essentially his childhood backyard. When he returns to visit a sick friend, he is shocked to find that a developer has c... more

On Gale's 70th birthday, she is just finishing her shift at work and looking forward to a special dinner with her husband, when the celebration is suddenly cut short. Among the birthday messages she has received is a frightening voicemail from the "M... more

Daniel is a New Orleans firefighter starting a second career as a realtor. Before he even gets his first listing, he discovers that someone has stolen his identity and is setting up dozens of property showings. Meanwhile, hopeful renters are paying t... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Gale Barr
Nurse practitioner, Goodyear, Arizona resident and scam victim
Individual
Episode: 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam
Bianca Borono
Channel 12 News journalist who covered the story and reported on the Arizona crypto ATM law
Channel 12 News
Episode: 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam
Detective Mark DeBona
Detective in Financial Crimes Unit, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Episode: 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam
Ciara Perillo
Renters scam victim
Episode: Realtor's Identity Stolen to Defraud Renters
Daniel Baptiste
New Orleans firefighter and realtor
Self-employed realtor
Episode: Realtor's Identity Stolen to Defraud Renters
Nia Duggins
Senior Policy Representative at the National Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors
Episode: Realtor's Identity Stolen to Defraud Renters
Larry Cook
Retired pastor who was targeted in a government impersonation scam
Self / Family
Episode: $1.3 Million Fake Investigation Scam
Barbara Cook
Wife of Larry Cook, involved in the scam narrative
Self / Family
Episode: $1.3 Million Fake Investigation Scam
Penny Puckett
Blanket maker who tried to scale her business online
Southwest Kansas farm family
Episode: Archive Episode: A Reality TV Star's Telemarketing Scheme

Host

Bob Sullivan
Host of The Perfect Scam and senior figure at AARP; oversees program and storytelling.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Good podcast, too many gullible people

    The recent interview with the

    Minister who thought he was aiding a government money laundering operation was simply too crazy to swallow. Beyond gullible. Surprised the scammers didn’t get them to sell their house as well as empty all of their bank accounts.

    The moral is that those crypto ATMs should all be shut down.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joe's View
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good podcast, terrible episode

    The phone scam episode was simply too convoluted. The guest was hard to hear and it’s hard to believe a lot of the tale. Can’t imagine many people falling for this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joe's View
    United States3 months ago
  • More crucial tips, please!

    Great show, very important. However, you have missed some important opportunities: for example, with the woman and the fake Facebook job, I wish you would’ve said, “if somebody asks you upfront for money as part of applying for a job, or after you have landed the job, IT IS A SCAM!” 100%.

    Also, I heard on another scam podcast that if somebody asks you to transfer money to and from crypto or use a crypto ATM, IT IS A SCAM! 100%.

    Putting money into a crypto ATM is ONLY USED FOR SCAMS. 100%. I l... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deborah K., Portland OR
    United States4 months ago
  • Important!

    Such a timely and compassionate podcast. Must listen for all especially our older friends and relatives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SqKat42
    United States4 months ago
  • Like it

    Good stories

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hit the nail right
    New Zealand5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the breadth of expert guests providing practical prevention tips.
Listeners praise the host's empathy and thoroughness in handling victims' stories.
Critiques note audio/production inconsistencies in some episodes and desire for more actionable takeaways.
Guests from regulatory and investigative fields are seen as credible and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#150
France/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#67
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#185
South Korea/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#226
Netherlands/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#228
Singapore/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Archive Episode: How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)
Q: What role do professionals play in preventing these scams?
Real estate agents, brokers, lawyers, and title companies must perform due diligence, verify identities, and rely on secure, verifiable processes; regulators and law enforcement should also respond promptly to any red flags.
Archive Episode: How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)
Q: What can everyday property owners do to protect themselves from similar fraud?
Check county records, enroll in property alert notifications, verify identities during transactions, insist on video or in-person verification, and act quickly if something seems off to prevent further damage.
Archive Episode: How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)
Q: What exactly happened to the land in Fairfield, Connecticut, and how did it unfold legally?
A power of attorney was used to sell the land to a builder under the impression that the owner had consented; the owners had to contest the title and pursue a civil case to stop construction and eventually reach a confidential settlement.
Frequent Flier Lands in a $12,000 Scam
Q: What concrete steps can travelers take to verify a phone number or contact you about a reservation?
Use official airline websites to locate customer service numbers, avoid clicking links from emails, and when in doubt, call the airline directly using numbers found on the official site rather than any search results.
Archive Episode: FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 1
Q: What was the turning point for the victim in terms of seeking help?
The turning point came when the victim decided to contact family and law enforcement instead of continuing to follow the scammer's instructions, recognizing the need to stop participating and get help.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Perfect Scam

What is The Perfect Scam about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A data-driven look at scams that span everything from romance and investment fraud to disaster-related schemes, narrated with empathy toward victims and practical guidance from experts. Episodes frequently blend survivor stories with regulatory, investigative, and technical insights, highlighting red flags, prevention tips, and the broader social impact of fraud on families and communities. A standout aspect is the breadth of guests, from family members and journalists to FTC and FBI experts, utilities advocates, and AI safety researchers, which helps listeners understand both the human toll and systemic responses. Potential listeners looking for real-world scam narratives paired with actionable prevention strategies will likely find it esp... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Perfect Scam?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Perfect Scam:

1. American Greed Podcast
2. Scamfluencers
3. The Opportunist
4. Deep Cover
5. Queen of the Con

How many episodes of The Perfect Scam are there?

The Perfect Scam launched 9 years ago and published 339 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Perfect Scam?

Recent guests on The Perfect Scam include:

1. Gale Barr
2. Bianca Borono
3. Detective Mark DeBona
4. Ciara Perillo
5. Daniel Baptiste
6. Nia Duggins
7. Larry Cook
8. Barbara Cook

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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