Smarter Online Safety with Jocelyn King

IRS Phone Scams EXPOSED: How to Spot & Stop Them

Think you’d never fall for a phone scam? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King welcomes back cybersecurity expert Chris Hadnagy, founder of Social-Engineer.com, to expose the psychology behind the surge in fake IRS calls and tax relief scams.
You’ll hear:
A real scam call that’s tricking thousands
Why hope and fear are the perfect bait for scammers
How modern fraudsters use American voices, legit-sounding call centers, and even job ads to lure in victims
Simple, critical steps to protect yourself, your data, and your money
💡 Whether you're a high-net-worth professional, an entrepreneur, or just trying to stay scam-free, this episode is packed with actionable tips that can save your finances—and your sanity.
📞 If you've ever received a call about tax relief, this episode could save you thousands.
👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this!

Boost Your Online Safety: Simple Steps for Securing Your Phone and Computer

🔒 Ready to stop hackers in their tracks? In this episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King welcomes back cybersecurity expert Todd Mitchell—by popular demand! Todd breaks down the overwhelming world of digital security into clear, easy-to-follow steps you can take today to protect your phone and computer from cyber threats.
Whether you're confused about permissions, unsure about antivirus software, or wondering if Face ID is actually safe—this episode has answers. 💡
👀 What you’ll learn:
The most overlooked settings on your phone and computer
Whether built-in protections like Windows Defender are enough
Smart tips for downloading apps safely
Why VPNs aren’t the magic solution we think they are
How to lock down your devices without being a tech expert
✅ Watch now to take charge of your digital safety—one simple step at a time. It’s time to outsmart the scammers and feel confident online.
🔁 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who uses a phone or computer (so...everyone!).

Hidden Dangers for Kids Online: Why Online Safety Is Now a Parenting Skill

In this powerful episode of The Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King sits down with cybersecurity advisor and mental health advocate Kelvin Green for a timely conversation in honor of Children’s Mental Health Week.
Kelvin, a Navy veteran and co-founder of CyberSec & I, opens up about his own journey growing up with undiagnosed special needs and how it fuels his passion to protect today's youth—especially those most vulnerable—online. From identity theft to unsafe apps, he breaks down the real-world risks children face in the digital age and gives practical, easy-to-follow tips for parents, educators, and caregivers.
You’ll learn:
Why children with special needs are more likely to be targeted online
The critical role of parental modeling and digital hygiene
How to gamify online safety using birthday-based “freedom milestones”
Steps every parent should take to monitor and protect their child’s identity
How to build trust and open communication about digital life at home
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or concerned adult, this episode is packed with essential insights that will empower you to help the kids in your life navigate the online world more safely and confidently.
 

World Password Day Special: 7 Expert Password Tips You Need to Know NOW

Cybercriminals are working 24/7 to steal your money, identity, and access to your life. In this special episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King shares 7 expert-backed tips that could protect everything you care about. Jocelyn gathered real-world strategies from top cybersecurity experts who fight online crime daily. Whether you’re using “123456” (please don’t!) or juggling dozens of logins, this episode gives you the practical steps you need to take right now.
✨ Plus: Find out the most common password mistakes, the best password manager to use (hint: it’s not just Google or Apple), and how to instantly check if your credentials have been leaked.
📌 Includes:✔️ Tips for creating secure passphrases✔️ Why never reusing passwords is crucial✔️ The truth about password managers✔️ Multi-factor authentication musts✔️ How to check for breaches in seconds✔️ And much more…
🎁 BONUS: Take the free online safety quiz at smarteronlinesafety.com to see how protected you really are!
🎧 Don’t wait until it’s too late — tune in and stay safe out there.

Cybersecurity Meets Personal Finance: Secrets to Debt-Free Living & Safer Online Banking

💸 What if one phone call cost you $4,000… and you didn’t even know it was a scam?In this eye-opening episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King sits down with the brilliant Dr. Frances Rahaim, aka The Money Doctor, to reveal how emotions, fear, and inaction can leave your finances wide open to scammers—and what you can do to stay safe, smart, and in control.
🎙️ Special Guest: Frances Rahaim, Ph.D.
Host of the radio show “Financial Fitness with The Money Doctor”
Author of “Debt or Alive” and “Retire Debt & Retire Well”
Founder of HUG Your Money™ and PowerDownDebt, Inc.
Registered Investment Advisor since age 23
Creator of patented, credit-savvy financial coaching software
Known as “The Solutionizer” for her talent in solving financial puzzles with empathy and expertise
For over 35 years, Dr. Rahaim has helped thousands of individuals and families become debt-free, budget wisely, build savings, and protect their financial future. Her mission? Empower people to ditch the shame and stress around money and take action with confidence.
🔐 In this episode, you'll learn:
The emotional traps scammers exploit—and how to outsmart them
Why debt is a bigger threat to retirement than most people realize
The truth about online safety, identity theft, and AI voice scams
Smart ways to freeze your credit, monitor your reports, and protect your kids' identities
How couples can work together to create financial peace, not tension
💻 Visit Dr. Rahaim’s website at www.hugyourmoney.com

IRS Scams Are Exploding: How to Stay Safe This Tax Season!

In this special episode of the Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King tackles one of the most alarming cybercrime trends today: IRS scams. With over 32,000 fraudulent tax returns and $272 million in fake refunds identified this year alone, Americans are facing an epidemic of phishing calls, fake agents, and identity theft.
You’ll hear shocking real-life stories, including:
A new dad was tricked into paying thousands to a fake IRS agent.
A 70-year-old woman who lost her life savings to scammers pretending to be FBI.
A former safety expert who now owes taxes on stolen funds.
Plus, you’ll learn: ✅ What the IRS will never do (like texting you) ✅ Red flags of scam tax preparers ✅ How to file safely and protect your identity ✅ Why checking your IRS.gov account is crucial
Whether you're filing taxes or helping a loved one stay safe, this episode is packed with must-know advice to avoid becoming the next victim.

Check Fraud EXPOSED: How Criminals Wash Checks & Steal Your Money!

Check fraud is a growing problem, and scammers are getting more sophisticated with their tactics. In this eye-opening episode of the Smarter Online Safety podcast, host Jocelyn King sits down with two renowned experts to uncover the shocking truth about check washing and fraud—and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself.
💡 Meet Our Expert Guests:
🔹 Jim Hitchcock – Vice President for Fraud Mitigation at the American Bankers Association (ABA), where he serves as the association’s primary expert on fraud mitigation activities and programs. Jim tracks key fraud trends, runs banker committees focused on fraud, and collaborates with government and commercial partners to develop cutting-edge fraud prevention strategies. Before joining ABA in 2021, Jim was a Director in the Capital One Anti-Money Laundering Department, advising on fraud issues. Prior to his banking career, he spent years in federal law enforcement, working for the Department of Defense Inspector General (Investigations) and the U.S. Secret Service, where he specialized in identity theft, computer-related crimes, and international money laundering schemes. Jim brings unparalleled expertise in fraud investigations and financial security.
🔹 Patty Aubery – A bestselling author, speaker, and business strategist with over 30 years of experience in publishing, personal development, and brand building. She was the President of Chicken Soup for the Soul, where she helped turn it into a billion-dollar brand, overseeing the publication of over 230 New York Times bestsellers. As the CEO of The Canfield Training Group, she has mentored thousands of authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs, helping them build their personal brands and transform their expertise into thriving businesses. Patty shares invaluable insights on financial awareness, business security, and success strategies for today’s digital world.
🚨 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ What is check washing? How criminals steal checks and alter them for fraudulent use.✅ How banks are fighting back against fraud and protecting consumers.✅ The latest check fraud scams and how to spot them before it’s too late.✅ Simple but powerful ways to safeguard your finances from scammers.✅ Why financial literacy is more important than ever, with insights from industry leaders.
📌 Don’t let scammers steal your hard-earned money! Tune in to learn how to protect yourself, your business, and your loved ones from check fraud and other financial threats.

Are You Being Watched? Is Your Phone Spying on You? Here’s How to Stop It!

In this eye-opening episode of Smarter Online Safety Podcast, host Jocelyn King sits down with cybersecurity expert and ethical hacker Dan Tentler to expose the shocking reality of online surveillance, hacking, and data privacy risks.
🚨 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How hackers and advertisers track your every move✅ Why your phone, apps, and even Bluetooth might be exposing your private data✅ The truth about red teaming, penetration testing, and real-world cyber attacks✅ How to protect yourself from phishing scams, malware, and privacy invasions✅ The simple tools and settings you can use to take back control of your digital life
🎧 If you value your privacy, don’t miss this episode! Share it with friends & family to help them stay safe online. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support our mission of making the internet a safer place!