The Perfect Scam artwork

True Crime · AARP

The Perfect Scam

by AARP

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.

Chart trend

Position in the True Crime chart (US), last 90 days.

#125
all-time peak
140
days in the top 200 since Dec 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

$1.3 Million Fake Investigation Scam

Larry and Barbara have issues with their Amazon account, so they welcome a call from "Amazon" customer service. They learn that their personal information has been compro

Sep 11
54 min

Archive Episode: A Reality TV Star's Telemarketing Scheme

In this 2023 episode, Penny takes an online training course in social media marketing, hoping to build her hobby into a business. After this initial small investment, she

Sep 4
45 min

Frequent Flier Lands in a $12,000 Scam

David is a seasoned traveler who has visited over 30 countries. He and his wife are looking forward to a trip to Budapest when he receives an email from Lufthansa about a

Aug 28
45 min

Phony Publisher Promises Bestsellers

Writing is Barbara's retirement hobby and her passion. She has several self-published books, but she dreams of her stories reaching a wider audience. So when a company ca

Aug 21
32 min

How One Family Stopped a Crypto Romance Scam

A late-night call from their son Brian has Barry and Joan concerned. Brian sounds panicked and says he urgently needs $280,000. They do not have that kind of money availa

Aug 14
51 min

Archive Episode: FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 2

In Part 2 of this 2023 episode, criminals are running the grandparent scam all over the San Diego area. Often crimes like this go unsolved, but FBI agent Brady Finta and

Aug 7
43 min

Archive Episode: FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 1

In this 2023 episode, when Susan gets a frantic call from her "grandson" saying he's been in a terrible accident, she doesn't waste any time. She rushes to get him the $9

Jul 31
25 min

Friend Group Falls Victim to Large Job Scam

Eunice, a busy mom of four, discovers what appears to be the perfect work-from-home job opportunity with flexible hours and the chance to make some extra income for her f

Jul 24
46 min

A Hawaii News Icon and a Sweepstakes Scam

Linda Coble is retired from a storied career as Hawaii's first female news anchor, but she stays active in her community through charity work. So when she receives a phon

Jul 17
55 min

Scam Targets AT&T Customers to Steal Cellphones

After a long day as a school bus driver, Nate checks his voicemail and finds a message from "AT&T" offering a discounted rate and a new phone. He has been a loyal custome

Jul 10
47 min

A Pilot's Stolen Identity Leaves a Trail of Broken Hearts, Part 2

In part 2, nearly a decade after Pat received the first phone call from a woman believing to be in a relationship with him, he continues to receive regular cards, gifts,

Jun 26
46 min

A Pilot's Stolen Identity Leaves a Trail of Broken Hearts, Part 1

When Pam decides it's time to find love again, she signs up for a dating site and soon meets "Pat." He's charming and very kind; they hit it off right away. "Pat" works o

Jun 19
35 min

Archive Episode: Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 2

Beloved Vermont children's entertainer-turned-filmmaker Mac Parker has been raising funds for his film Birth of Innocence for nearly a decade. The film has yet to be comp

Jun 12
22 min

Archive Episode: Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 1

Malcom "Mac" Parker aspires to be a filmmaker. In Vermont, Mac is known as a beloved children's entertainer, appearing on public television and performing around the stat

Jun 5
18 min

Scammers Use AI to Make Lost Pet Scams More Believable

Bill and Allison are devoted to their dogs, so when they discover their 11-year-old beagle mix Archer missing one evening, they are distraught. They spend hours searching

May 29
45 min

LA Fire Survivor Faces PayPal Impostor Scam

After escaping the Palisades fire in January of 2025, Ellen doesn't know if she and her husband Steve will have a home to return to. Miraculously, their house is still st

May 22
55 min

Crossed Wires: Utility Scams Target Consumers

Fed up with the rising cost of electricity, Steve shops around and switches to a new provider in his Boston neighborhood. The process is simple, and Steve thinks the matt

May 15
50 min

Vermont Woman Recoups $1.3M 4.5 Years After a Scam

Jeanette moves back to Vermont, expecting a peaceful retirement in a beloved community, but a tech support scam upends her life. She reaches out to her local police, who

May 8
54 min

Bonus: Meet the Fraud Fighters Taking on Crypto Kiosk Scams

In this bonus episode, Bob meets some Fraud Fighters working to make their Nebraska community a little bit safer from scammers. When Omaha passes a city ordinance requiri

May 1
47 min

Deepfake Doctors: AI-Generated Medical Ad Scams

Dr. Maurice Sholas, a pediatric rehabilitation specialist based in New Orleans, discovers that his likeness is being used in an ad when a friend sends him a TikTok clip t

Apr 24
50 min

Chart positions

Where The Perfect Scam ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 13, 2026).

#189 ▲ 11 True Crime US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

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!

Happy healthy fit me · Dec 2024

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.

Wilkyway1979 · Aug 2024

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.

teaseapea · Jul 2024

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.

jinx17 · Jul 2024

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About The Perfect Scam on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Perfect Scam, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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