In this episode, we ask:

• Have you come out unscathed?
• Is it real?
• Is it a scam?
• Who is Terri Lea Gardner?
• What has Terri learned?
• What are the top frauds and scams today?
• What do the scammers target?
• How much is lost on phone calls, social media and email scams?
• What about the toll road scam?
• What about the warrant scam?
• What about the posts on social media?
• What about the email PayPal scam?
• What about malware or viruses?
• What about the QR codes?
• How many fall victim to the scams?
• What generations are more likely to get caught in these scams?
• What is the issue?
• What is on the other end of the link?
• What should you do with a suspicious email or text?
• When should you change your passwords?
• What about password managers?
• What about staying educated?
• What about AI fake video technology?
• What about talking with elder parents?
• What was Terri’s first fraud case?
• What about the fake “family member in jail” call?
• What about retaliation?
• What are the tips and tricks to lock down one’s identifying information?
• What about reporting it to the police and the IRS?
• What are the action items?

Terri Lea Gardner is a seasoned law enforcement professional with 35 years of experience in investigative work, specializing in waste, fraud, and abuse investigations. She holds a Master Peace Officer License and has dedicated 17 years to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), focusing on high-stakes fraud detection and prevention.
Terri earned both her Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership (2019) and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice & Forensic Science (2016) from Sam Houston State University. As a Certified Fraud Examiner for over 12 years, she has been at the forefront of fraud investigations, uncovering complex financial crimes and helping organizations mitigate risks.

Her passion lies in educating others on fraud prevention, equipping individuals and businesses with the knowledge to protect themselves from financial deception. Through her expertise, Terri empowers others to recognize, report, and prevent fraudulent activity, ensuring a more secure and ethical financial landscape.