Phishmael & FriendsCEO fraud is when a scammer pretends to be a boss, a teacher or a coach and asks for money, gift cards or an urgent payment.
The messages follow a pattern: a new number or email, a reason they can't talk, a rush, and a request to keep it secret.
Gift cards are popular with scammers because, once the codes are shared, the money is gone.
The fix is a call to a number you already know, or a quick check in person. In the episode, one call to the real Barry ends the whole scheme.
The rule from the episode: urgent and secret? Check first.
The rule: Urgent and secret? Check first.