Click Here The scam next door
Sep 9, 2025
Elliot Williams, a guest host on 1A from WAMU and NPR, dives into the subtle world of scams that prey on human emotions rather than wallets. He discusses chilling real-life stories, like a mother and son duped by a piano scam, revealing how emotional manipulation is a powerful tool for fraudsters. The conversation also touches on the alarming rise of scams across generations, from online dating to identity theft. Williams emphasizes the need for awareness and vigilance to protect ourselves and our loved ones from these insidious threats.
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Piano Scams Mirror Classic Cons
- Piano scams are a modern variation of classic cons that ask for a small shipping fee for a valuable item.
- Scammers exploit plausibility and emotional hope rather than technical tricks.
Slow Down And Verify
- Slow down and verify before acting on urgent-sounding requests about packages or payments.
- Check official sites directly and inspect email addresses for misspellings or odd characters.
Patricia's Facebook Piano Sting
- Patricia found a free Steinway Baby Grand on Facebook and was told to pay a rerouting fee of $625 via Zelle.
- She sent the money, later got asked for more fees, and discovered the shipping site was newly created and the piano never arrived.