Scammers are getting more sophisticated—and more heartbreaking—every day. In our latest episode of The Collective Cast Podcast, we sat down with a powerhouse panel to expose the scams that are hitting Quad Cities residents hardest right now.
Host Chris Damron (Arizona Business Collective) was joined by:
- Lizzy McNett – Elevate Business Solutions
- Justin Teclaw – National Bank of Arizona
- Ron Norfleet – Yavapai County Sheriff
Together, they broke down the most common and costly scams circulating in our community:
- Sweetheart / Romance Scams: Fraudsters build fake romantic relationships over weeks or months—often on dating apps or social media—then create a crisis (medical emergency, travel issue, etc.) that requires “urgent” money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Victims lose tens of thousands before realizing it’s a con.
- Fake “Loved One in Jail” Calls: The caller pretends to be a grandchild, child, or friend who’s been arrested and needs immediate bail money. They insist on wire transfers or prepaid cards and pressure you not to call family. These calls play on fear and urgency—classic red flags.
- Bogus Domain Renewal Notices in the Mail: Business owners receive official-looking letters claiming your domain name is about to expire unless you pay a renewal fee immediately. The letter includes a phone number or payment link that leads to scammers who steal your credit card info or personal details.
The experts shared clear red flags to watch for, steps to verify suspicious requests, and simple ways to protect yourself and your loved ones (e.g., hang up and call back using a known number, never wire money to strangers, double-check domain registrars directly).
Stream the full episode on your favorite platform:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- Or directly on our site: arizonabusinesscollective.com/podcast
Search for “The Collective Cast” and look for the latest FraudShield
Share this with family, friends, business owners, and anyone who uses email or the phone. Scammers never sleep—we shouldn’t either.
Stay vigilant, Quad Cities.
We’re in this together.
Author: Lizzy McNett
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