“They said I was hacked” — The Psychology Behind a Tech-Support Scam | Smarter Online Safety Podcast
Manage episode 517117921 series 3650604
Every 37 seconds, someone becomes a victim of cybercrime.
In this special episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King, the Queen of Online Safety, sits down with Marie Wallace — a transformational coach, educator, and speaker — who shares the terrifying true story of how she was nearly deceived by a professional phone-and-computer scam posing as Microsoft Support.
What begins as a normal workday turns into a nightmare: a blaring pop-up, fake “Microsoft” agents, threats of criminal charges, and emotional manipulation. But Marie’s quick instincts — and one critical phone call — stopped the scammers cold.
This isn’t just her story — it’s a masterclass in how hackers use human psychology to trick smart, good-hearted people into handing over their trust, data, and money.
Stay tuned until the end for Jocelyn’s practical safety checklist — how to verify a call, spot psychological red flags, and pre-protect your accounts before panic hits.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. How real “tech-support” scams manipulate fear and urgency.
2. Why even smart, cautious people fall for these attacks.
3. What emotional triggers hackers exploit — and how to shut them down.
4. Simple, non-technical steps to protect yourself and your small business.
5. How to pre-save verified support numbers and avoid fake Google ads.
🔐 Key Takeaways
✅ Always pause when panic hits — urgency is the hacker’s weapon.
✅ Never call numbers from pop-ups, texts, or emails.
✅ Pre-save verified support numbers for banks, Microsoft, etc.
✅ Call the official number on your card or website.
✅ Never give out PINs, SSNs, or verification codes to unsolicited callers.
🌐 Visit: https://embracetheencore.com/
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Together, we can make the online world safer — one click at a time.
#CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #TechSupportScam #SmarterOnlineSafety #CyberAwareness #ScamAlert #DigitalSafety
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