Would really enjoy the podcast but the overbearing music ruins it. We can not hear you talk because of the overpowering music!Please stop with the loud music. I’ll give you 5 stars when we can hear all the words!

Hi thanks so much for this episode!! We immediately called Verizon and they walked us through how to turn on sim swap protection!!

This podcast is so well done! Bob Sullivan is a particularly excellent host. He not only has a perfect speaking voice, but really listens and asks appropriate questions. The empathy shines through toward his guests like no other host. Please keep this helpful, important podcast going for a long time. Anyone that has had a hand in making this show should be really proud in what you’ve created.

Every single episode provides information and insight that helps us avoid scammers. The recent episode on Sim scams is one that I have forwarded to many. Thank you Bob!

Audio levels are erratic making this podcast difficult to listen to

I used to be a victim shamer. I regret this so much. Your podcast has changed my mind. The victims have good hearts and were taken advantage of. I have a hardened New Yorker scab. These victims make me feel there is good in the world because they care and wanted to help. Just listen to the red flags. Never send money lol.

Good to keep seniors apprised of the multitude of scammers out there. Sad stories that need to be shared. Some of the victims are just plain old idiots (listen to puppy scam). Some are true victims Just listen and you will be yelling at your device , don’t do it. No wonder this country loves Trump, they love to throw money at con artists. They keep saying some of these people aren’t stupid, etc. I will let you decide.If you send your life sendings to a faceless person on the phone, something is very wrong with your thinking. If you have an isolated senior in your life please check in with them.

I”m sorry.. I just don’t believe that in this day in time, with so many warnings about scams and frauds, anybody would be dumb enough to fall for this. Gimme a break. If she’s legit, she deserves what she got.

Every episode teaches me something. It’s not making me a skeptic but it’s teaching me to be patient, pay attention and to listen to your gut feeling and not allow your emotions to take control. Each episode is interesting but also I’m learning from the mistakes of others. I wish there wasn’t so much material but pretty grateful these people are willing to share their stories. One of the better podcasts on the internet to listen to. I also like that the narrator is sympathetic.

I could not stop listening once I started. The story of Aliiha Reza is like a Kill Bill movie come to life. This woman is sincerely the bravest, beautiful soul inspiration. Thank you for facilitating her story.

an important takeaway from the recent episode about a puppy scam is stop buying pets from breeders! pay the fee at your local pet adoption organization and get a great pet. you will be supporting a local establishment and saving a life.

The Perfect Scam gives you the tools to understand and navigate in that scary world of scammers. The feeling that it couldn’t happen to me is so foolish. It happens when you least expect it and being able to stop and and think about what’s happening and how to handle the situation is priceless and that’s what the Perfect Scam gives you on every episode. Thank you AARP and all you folks at the Perfect Scam.

the ai generated sounding voice makes this so unbelievably unbearable to listen to. the content is good, but the host voice is something i can’t tolerate

I am constantly talking about this podcast ! Scams are so sophisticated these days - need to stay on top on them !

Such a heartbreaking episode! The scammers truly didn’t care that they had drained the entire life savings of their victim AND made her quit her job. I’m so glad podcasts like this raise awareness of this devastating problem.

Can Mr. Alper create a website and search terms that would at the very least direct Internet traffic, and provide a narrative about who he is and about the scam so that at least some people should be able to figure out that they should not try to work with the “attorney” Todd Alper? That’s what I would do. I haven’t finished listening, so if he does this, I haven’t got there yet.

I can’t get over the host’s voice. Sometimes, his voice sounds artificial. Are we being scammed, too? Lol! I have to pass on this, no matter how interesting it seems. Edit- it seems there’s multiple hosts through the podcast. I have to say, though, I will not try any other episodes. Meh.

I can’t listen to this podcast because the cohost IS a scam artist. Disgusting.

I just listened to the two-part podcasts titled, One Woman’s Story of Survival After a scam, a second time because it was so riveting and handled the topic of suicide in a gentle, yet, straightforward manner. Thank you Bob Sullivan & AARP Fraud Watch Network for the work you of informing the public & providing resources for help! Take care!

I am very grateful for the good work everyone involved in the show is doing. The show is very informative. I have learned a lot and shared with anyone who will listen to help everyone be aware and hopefully even listen to the podcast themselves. The 8/19/2022 episode has a horrible sound that was used to help listeners understand what the guests went through, but they left it on too long for the podcast audience; that should be edited.

Your giving us advice from Frank Abagnale? The AARP is being victimized and scammed by Abagnale. Do some research!

Love the shows. I learn a lot about the different scams. I am always talking to my elderly parents about the easy scams that could happen to them. My only complaint is the audio. It’s all over the place. Host come in normal sound. Person or persons being interviewed or tapes played are too low and hard to hear. The ads at the end are way too loud. Your audio editor should be looking at these levels and correcting them on every episode.

But… I’m having a hard time not stabbing my self with a fork listening to the poor choices the lady making the baby blankets made. People have SOME responsibility for their predicaments. She spent $30,000 before noticing her website didn’t work. She just kept spending more and more without doing her own due diligence.

Every time I listen to Podcast I learn something new. Plus they are short & to the point which I like. Thank you

Playing the “annoying computer noise” for literally 2 mins for a podcast where people are either driving or have earbuds in their ears - is negligent, harmful and - come on AARP: irresponsible to listeners with hearing aids! Normally a good podcast series, but GOODNESS GRACIOUS, the non-stop high-decibel noise you play is so awful and MEAN to your listeners. PLEASE EDIT to include a warning or remove that unnecessary noise.

Got 2 minutes in and can’t stand his voice

Loving part two. Good for granny

I would credit you all more for your exposés on fraud if I weren’t looking at one of the kings of fraud right there on your page! When are you going to take responsibility for promoting Frank Abanale who has lied and cheated his whole career? Maybe you could have Pretend’s Javier Leiva on as a guest, hmmmm?

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the rich and detailed information about common and current scams…in all of their iterations. I appreciate the guests who come on, and tell their stories of being scammed-they are doing a tremendous service. I have been scammed myself, but have since been able to avoid further attempted scamming, and this podcast has helped me. It is so much easier to scam older people, particularly if they are living alone and don’t have a lot of family support (like me). And finally, host, Bob Sullivan makes this podcast what it is. He speaks in a gentle manner, with wisdom and tremendous compassion. Covering these scams in a story and interview format, with him as the host, is ‘the perfect match’. (Also appreciate Frank Abagnale-and so many of the podcast guests who are working to stop these crimes. Thank you.)

I want to love this podcast because I love the topics but the fact that Frank Abignale is one of the hosts throws me off completely. His life is a fraud, every story he tells is fiction. He is the most unreliable narrator of all time. AARP ambassador??? Why? He also never takes any responsibility for his own actions and just blames it all on him being young and dumb. I’m hoping in newer episodes you all have disassociated yourselves from him. The irony that this is a podcast about scams and you are still being scammed by this man who has faked his entire life story is not lost on me.

If you are interested in protecting yourself from scans and cons you will find this podcast very enlightening. The series on elder murders is so important in understanding just how pervasive ageism is in our society. The idea that a serial killer was allowed to murder so many elderly people with impunity is so upsetting. It also shows how vulnerable the residents in assisted living facilities are to dangerous criminals. Bob Sullivan is an excellent host! His stories are more in depth and more informative with his very sensitive and gentle approach when speaking to victims of fraud than previous hosts. I just wish they would take Frank Abagnale’s picture off of the “hosts” in the Apple Podcasts. AARP used Frank Abagnale for years as an “ ambassador” to the podcast on fraud and cyber security. He has since ironically been outed as a fraudster himself with claims of FBI and law enforcement experience being just one of his many lies. Don’t believe me? Read “The Greatest Hoax on Earth” written by Allan Logan who exposes every one of his lies using actual documentary evidence to prove his claims as the “Catch Me if You Can” character in the Stephen Spielberg movie are completely false. There is also an excellent 7 part series about this on “Pretend” podcast, hosted by Javier Leiva. I really wish AARP would eliminate Frank Abagnale from past episodes in light of the fraud exposed in the book and podcast about him. After all, this “The Perfect Scam” podcast is supposed to expose fraudsters. AARP became a victim of one of the biggest frauds in history!

I listen to this podcast because I've been scammed to the tune of 100,000 dollars. That was 20 years ago! I urge anyone of any age to listen to this podcast. I wonder if I had listened to this before I got scammed I could have avoided it. I'm pretty sure it never would of happened.

This is well done but having an issue with the presenter calling the victims, “mom.” I know he is just repeating what the sons or daughters are saying, but he should be calling them by first or last name, not “mom.” It’s weird.

Great show until you get to the end and realize it’s only part one. 😬

I’ve been scammed and it’s terrible! Listening to this helps me and hopefully others to realize there actions! Thank you for making this podcast!

This is an excellent podcast. No complaints. Every episode is informative

It is quite amazing how many guillible folks are out there. Easy pickings for crooks.

I like the topics they cover but they need to cut ties with Frank A. His story is a lie - he was in jail/prison from 16 yrs - 21 yrs and couldn’t have been a fake pilot, doctor or lawyer. He also claims to never have stolen from “the little guy,” that too is a lie. If they get rid of Frank I’ll come back.

Thank you for this podcast! Learning so much. Ignorance is no bliss! It is well produced, interesting and I cannot get enough. Keep up with a good work. One but: I noticed I am loosing my trust- every phone call or email from unknown is a scam to me! 😉

I was so excited when I found this podcast. I love the content and how it’s laid out. Then Will left the show. It’s really really hard to listen to these new co-hosts.

Jordan Harbinger lacks use- moreso relevance.

It’s very sad to hear this woman was scammed like this. I feel it is equally sad that you are not wiling to disclose the name of the company/website that robbed this woman of her money. There are companies out there that are legitimate companies that handle crypto currency with integrity. It is unfair to these companies not to disclose the company that was so deceptive; especially if you know the name of the company. Exposing this company could help to avoid others from being scammed by this false companies and others. Not having full disclosure can also harms companies that are legitimately trying to help people that need help.

Would be better if the show could move away from romance scams because they all sound pretty much the same … this is the most discussed and dramatized type of scams everywhere anyway

Very interesting podcast but has not been updated for almost two months… what’s going on??

I really like this podcast, I had to take a break from the traditional truecrime because they were getting too dark. If you like podcasts about scams or catfish or cons this is super interesting. These are definitely educational and interesting. I’d think this would be a great resource for the older crowd especially to keep them aware. I’m a bigger fan of the host who, I believe he said he was a former fox affiliate, he is very kind and sweet sounded and extremely sympathetic to the guest. It’s funny to hear Frank on here because he’s a bit gruffer and the hosts on here are so sweet. The other host I guess is a little gruffer as well but he’s nice too. I definitely give this podcast 10/10 great for the younger adults and for older adults

This is a very intriguing & informative podcast up until about 2021. I was attached to host Michelle & miss her but there's also editing issues. The episodes feel a little choppy & clumsy. And they put a commercial right in the middle of the show! A commercial for AARP. Who sponsors the show. And produces the show. Yes, we are fully aware. We don't need an extra commercial to drive it into our brains. Sadly, it's enough to UNSUBSCRIBE. Still 4 stars though because there are a few years of awesome content in the back catalogue. Wait, what happened to Frank? Some reviews say he lied about working with FBI. That doesn't seem right. Does AARP have a dungeon somewhere with past The Perfect Scam hosts & Frank Abagnale hanging from iron shackles?

!!!!!!

This is such a valuable podcast for everyone to hear-BUT the laughing at Frank’s antidotes over his crimes and his excuses.. ”I was a kid” “I did what I needed to survive””I took advantage of an opportunity” how’s about get a JOB?! romanticizing his scams on an anti-scam podcast is wrong

Since host Frank Abagnale’s biggest and best scam has been to pass himself off as a great fraudster who was rehabilitated and then worked to protect people from other fraudsters, there couldn’t be a better name for a podcast. Abagnale’s advice is suspect at best and as real fraud professionals, such as Brett Johnson, have pointed out, most of what he says is worthless. AARP should acknowledge their mistake and disavow any relationship with him.

Update: turns out Frank was lying about his scams and never worked with the FBI I find it disturbing that the host and Frank were laughing about things he did like impersonate a doctor for months. Frank claims he didn’t have any direct patient care duties but supervising residents is a huge responsibility— they depended on him for guidance. Frank downplays the bad things he did and the host laughs it off saying he was “just a kid” when he did these things. The truth is Frank put people’s lives in danger and he seems more interested in downplaying what he did rather than showing real remorse.