Scam Rangers

In this episode of Scam Rangers, we sit down with Ken Westbrook, a former member of the US intelligence community, as he shares the story that sparked his mission to combat online scams. Ken opens up about his mother's unfortunate encounter with online criminals and how it inspired him to take action. With the founding of Stop Scams Alliance, Ken discusses his efforts to drive change at the national level, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives implemented by the British government. He outlines the strategies employed across the pond and advocates for similar action within the United States, emphasizing the importance of government intervention in combating cybercrime. Join us as we explore Ken Westbrook's journey from personal tragedy to public advocacy, shedding light on the pressing issue of online scams and the collective effort needed to address it effectively. This episode serves as a call to action for individuals and policymakers alike, urging everyone to unite in the fight against digital deception. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/ Resources: Stop Scams Alliance: https://www.stopscamsalliance.org/ Op Ed New York Times: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/03/25/scams-ruin-american-lives-present/ Stop Scams UK: https://stopscamsuk.org.uk/ UK Strategy to sop scams: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-blueprint-to-protect-public-from-scammers Australia strategy to stop scams:

In the first episode of Season 2 of Scam Rangers, we dive into the perspective of a Fraud Strategy leader in a US financial institution. What is the difference between dealing with traditional account takeover fraud (unauthorized payments) and online scams (authorized payments) from the perspective of serving and retaining customers? What are the considerations leadership should take into account and how do financial institutions create the right level of friction while protecting their customer from online scams? We also explore a bank's standpoint regarding forthcoming regulations on a global scale and the much-needed but often overlooked aspect of cross-industry collaboration in the United States. Lastly, Karen sheds light on the demanding role of fraud analysts who often double as customer service representatives and therapists, a challenge faced by many members of fraud operations teams This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

In this episode we take a look at the activity around regulation with regards to online scams in the US, UK and Australia, following comprehensive analysis done by Ken over the last year. The overall outlook is pretty positive. We see a lot of good attention, especially in the UK, and we are optimistic about the future of protecting consumers. However, there is still a lot more to be done. To learn more about Ken and his work, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-palla-09b585/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

In this episode we talk to Gabi Friedlander at Wizer about how financial institutions can create effective awareness to educate their customers on online scams, and how educating kids in school about basic concepts of online safety can help prevent scams later in life, such as romance scams, investment scams, sextortion and phishing, to name a few. At the end of the episode Gaby provides concrete advice on how you, as fraud fighters, can collaborate with your marketing teams to drive differentiated scam awareness for your customers. You can find Gaby here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielfriedlander/ Wizer: https://www.wizer-training.com/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

In this fascinating episode of Scam Rangers we discuss the atmosphere that allowed the evolution of financial grooming, AKA Pig Butchering scams, as well as how these scams have evolved over time and the trajectory in which they are going. Despite a number of arrests and crackdowns, the picture is not pretty. Additional Resources mentioned in the podcast: CloudSEK report about the task scams: https://assets-global.website-files.com/635e632477408d12d1811a64/651f4de17bc41545fc74598a_Webwyrm-%20A%20Vast%20Network%20of%20Deception%20by%20Impersonating%20Thousands%20of%20Brands%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf Humanity Research Consultancy report on cyber-scamming and forced labor: https://humanity-consultancy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HRC-Briefing_Cyber-Slavery-in-the-Scamming-Compounds.pdf And all the links to my stories from 2021 & today that are related to the issues we discussed: Pig-butchering scams and human trafficking articles by Cezary Podkul: https://www.propublica.org/article/casinos-cambodia-myanmar-laos-southeast-asia-fraud-cybercrime https://www.propublica.org/article/whats-a-pig-butchering-scam-heres-how-to-avoid-falling-victim-to-one https://www.propublica.org/article/pig-butchering-scams-raided-cambodia-apple-trafficking https://www.propublica.org/article/human-traffickers-force-victims-into-cyberscamming This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/

After completing his military service of 26 years in the US Military, Bryan Denny was approached one day via LinkedIn, where he opened a profile to start his job search, by a women who thought she was in a relationship with him. She was scammed by a criminal who stole Bryan's photos and created a fake profile to lure women into relationships and then ask for money. This incident, which happened in 2016, was the first of many that continue to impact Bryan's life and the life of his family, as a victim of identity theft. Bryan founded an organization to help romance scam victims, Advocating Against Romance Scammers, and together with his co-founder, Kathy Waters, advocates for change in the responsibility social media should have to ensure clean and reliable communication. AARS: https://advocatingforu.com/ International World Romance Scam Prevention Day: https://protectingheartsday.com/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/

If you are a bank fraud fighter or in law enforcement, you will not want to miss this fascinating episode. Anne and Cecilie both share their personal romance scam stories and how they had to face the realities and aftermath of emotional and financial trauma, as well as judgment from society and authorities. They decided to turn their experience into a bold movement and Founded LoveSaid, a non profit with the goal to support romance scam victims with carefully orchestrated process and tools to bring victims out of the scam and to support them afterwards in navigating the emotional and financial aftermath. As Cecilie put it in her own words: I'm sure they (bank fraud teams) don't have much time so they just go on the phone and tell the customer "high suspicious activity here". I can imagine how they are saying it and we (the scam victims) refuse to listen and we are cutting them off. If we can have a bank of Ex Victims who've been trained to go in and talk to these victims, we truly believe that we can get there much faster in a better way than police and banks can. We truly see the power of people with experience coming in. Resources: www.lovesaid.orgwww.catchthecatfish.orgSocials: lovesaid.orglovesaid.orgThis podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam Additional academic research mentioned in the podcast: Dr Elisabeth Carter’s body of work: Forensic Linguist and Criminologist

In this episode of Scam Rangers, we delve into the troubling world of romance scams and identity theft victims. Our guest, Kathy Waters, shares her insights into these scams and her advocacy work in supporting victims while pushing for regulatory changes on online platforms. Key Takeaways: 1. Deception in Romance Scams: Kathy explains how scammers use stolen identities to create elaborate love stories, often set in distant locations, to manipulate and deceive their victims. 2. Kathy's Journey: Learn about Kathy's personal journey and what led her to become an advocate against scammers and a staunch supporter of victims. 3. Advocating for Change: Kathy and her team are actively working with lawmakers to change regulations and policies in the US governing online platforms to enhance user safety and protect vulnerable individuals from scams. Explore the hidden world of romance scams, discover the resilience of identity theft victims, and understand Advocating Against Romance Scammer's unwavering commitment to exposing wrongdoers and creating safer digital spaces. Join us for a thought-provoking journey only on Scam Rangers. Resources: Advocating Against Romance Scammers: https://advocatingforu.com/ The petition can be found on the website. World Romance Scam Awareness Day: https://protectingheartsday.com/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this Episode, Alan and Ayelet discuss the psychology behind the human traits scammers prey on to scam victims, and the pos-scam emotions of isolation and shame victims experience. Resources: Article in Psychology today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/metacognition-and-the-mind/202104/fool-me-once-why-scams-leave-people-feeling-foolish News story on therapist coerced into a scam: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/phone-scam-therapists-16483251.php Book: Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging: https://www.amazon.com/Better-Age-Psychology-Successful-Aging/dp/0190279982/ TEDx Talk How We Learn as We Age: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5jUjOr7G8M UCLA Department of Psychology: http://castel.psych.ucla.edu This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this episode we share a remarkable journey of resilience, empowerment, and the fight against romance scams. Join us as we explore the inspiring story of RUTH GROVER, who transformed her experience as a target of a romance scam into a powerful mission to help others. Ruth founded "Scam Haters Untied," an organization dedicated to rescuing victims and turning them into survivors. In this captivating episode, we delve into the techniques to unmask romance scammers and offer victims proof. You can find Scam Haters United here: Website: https://www.scamhatersunited.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHUisteamwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scamhaters.united YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/scamhatersunited TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scamhaters_united_shu This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the intricate world of Business Email Compromise (BEC), a sophisticated cybercrime that preys on individuals and organizations. Join us as we uncover the tactics employed by scammers, from romance scam victims turned accomplices to the dark realm of gift card fraud and cryptocurrency conversion. We explore the psychological manipulation that drives scammers and the emotional strain inflicted on victims. Discover how collaborative initiatives, such as the BEC Working Group, are working to combat these scams, and learn practical steps to empower organizations against this pervasive threat. Join the conversation and become informed about BEC scams to create a safer digital landscape for all. Find Ronnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnietokazowski/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this revealing episode, we sit down with Assaf, a former member of Fakebook's integrity team, to explore the complexities of combating scams and fraud on social media platforms. Assaf shares candid insights into the challenges faced by the team in preserving user safety while maintaining platform integrity. We delve into shutting down fake accounts, the impact on PR on the team's work and the importance of industry collaboration, particularly with law enforcement agencies. Join us as we uncover the strategies and considerations involved in making social media a safer place for users, with a focus on building productive partnerships and preventing potential scams. Find Assaf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assafkipnis/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

Join Erin West, a District Attorney from Santa Clara County, CA, and Alona Katz, a DA representing Manhattan, NYC, as they confront the pressing challenges within the legal system when it comes to combating a new breed of crime: crypto investment scams, also known as "Financial Grooming" or the notorious alias of "Pig Butchering." In this episode, they candidly discuss the complexities involved in this digital underworld, shedding light on the devastating financial and emotional toll suffered by victims. Through their unconventional thinking and innovative initiatives, Erin and Alona strive to provide solace and support to those who have been scammed, while relentlessly pursuing justice for the vulnerable. Erin introduces operation Shamrock which is an initiative she started with the mission to EDUCATE, SEIZE, DISRUPT everything crypto scams. You can join by emailing Erin: ewest@dao.sccgov.org Linkedin: Alona Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alonakatz/ Erin West: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinnordbywest/ This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this episode we shed light on the rising issue of robocalls and scam calls, untangling the complex web of technology, regulations, and telco motivations. Explore the advanced tools and methods employed to detect and thwart these deceitful calls, while understanding the vital role regulations play in enabling effective action. But the battle doesn't end there. Dive deeper with us as we uncover the alarming evolution of scammers, who now utilize targeted lists obtained from data breaches, equipping themselves with personal information that makes their calls distressingly effective. Gain valuable insights into the motivations driving telco providers to combat this ever-growing problem, and arm yourself with knowledge and strategies to protect against phone scams. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this episode Tiffany Paulsen and Ayelet Biger-Levin dive into the delicate balance a fraud investigator needs to maintain in order to work with scam victims to untangle the emotional manipulation a cybercriminal/ scammer took them through. Tiffany explains her approach which is infused with both empathy and facts to help victims come back from a scam. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

Join us for an informative episode as we explore the world of online scams and gain insights from the e-Fraud Global Forum at RSA Conference. Our guest, Uri Rivner, CEO of Refine Intelligence, shares his expertise on the challenges faced by institutions in detecting scams and the operational aspects of resolving cases. We discuss the role of mule accounts in scams and their implications. Discover the strategies, technologies, and collaborations used by financial institutions to combat scammers and protect consumers. Tune in to this episode to stay informed and empowered against digital threats. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this episode of Scam Rangers, Jorij Abram, the CEO of Scamadviser and General Manager of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), talks about his journey into fighting scams and shares some valuable insights about the scams landscape. Jorij discusses the common types of scams, including online shopping and investment scams, and stresses the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in the fight against scammers. He also highlights the role of GASA in creating a network of organizations and individuals to share intel and find better solutions to fight online scams. The podcast also delves into the highlights of the Global Anti-Scam Summit, which saw over 1300 participants from 70 countries, and the press release with 10 recommendations to combat scams. https://www.gasa.org/turning-the-tide-on-scams Jorij emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in fighting scams and exposing the criminals behind them. Tune in to learn more about the challenges of combating scams and the initiatives being taken to reduce their impact on individuals and society. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In this episode of Scam Rangers, Nicola shares his journey in fighting scams and talks about how victims are not getting enough help or understanding from law enforcement. He also talked about his vision for Cybera, a company that provides a platform to help victims of financial crimes. The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration and technology in preventing scams and the need for public-private sector collaborations to build tools that can protect people from financial crimes. This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space. Also check out https://scamranger.ai if you had received a message that you suspect is a scam

In episode 13 of Scam Rangers podcast, we chat with Frank McKenna, a fraud and scam fighter with 30 years of experience. We discuss the use of technology in combination with social engineering tactics to execute online scams, including bots, voice imitation, and deep fakes. Frank emphasizes the need for proactive measures to stop fraudulent transactions, and the importance of being passionate about fraud-fighting. The episode offers valuable insights and advice for both fraud fighters and non-fraud fighters, highlighting the importance of staying informed and vigilant to protect ourselves and our finances from scams. Frank on Fraud: https://frankonfraud.com ScamRanger: hrrps://scamranger.ai This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space.

In this episode, we're joined by special guests Didi and Lital, hosts of The Didi & Lital show, to discuss the most defenseless side of fraud - the tens of thousands of individuals falling victim to scams. Lital is the CMO of Hunters and Didi is a CTO at Oort. W also dive into the differences and similarities between cybersecurity and the fraud industry, the latest fraud trends, and best defense practices. Our guests Didi and Lital share their insights and experiences, and Ayelet provides her expertise as the founder of Scam Rangers. The Didi and Lital Show: pod.link/1654750986. Scam Rangers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scamrangers/ Scam Ranger the solution: https://scamranger.ai