Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
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Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
In this fast-moving, fraud-fighting episode of Talking Real Money, Tom Cock is joined by longtime consumer advocate Herb Weisbaum (aka The ConsumerMan) to expose two of the fastest-growing scams in the U.S.: predatory solar sales and the “pig butchering” crypto scam. Herb details the dangerous combination of shady sales reps and shadowy financing pushing overpriced, underperforming solar systems door-to-door. Then, the duo dives into long-con crypto scams, deepfake romance cons, and the weaponization of AI for fraud. Herb doesn’t hold back—calling crypto “sheer stupidity” and buy-now-pay-later schemes a gateway to regret. It’s a wild, enlightening ride full of practical advice and a few laughs at the crooks’ expense.
0:44 The ConsumerMan joins the show—cape at the dry cleaner, fraud cape that is
1:30 Solar sales scams: door-to-door hustlers + shady financiers
2:37 Solar “deals” that aren’t: pressure sales, fake savings, buried contract terms
5:35 Solar installations gone wrong—and sometimes never installed at all
6:55 Why good contractors don’t knock on doors
8:20 Know the difference between credits and cash—solar isn’t “free”
9:26 Pig butchering crypto scams explained
10:40 Fake trading platforms that “show” fake returns
11:50 AI-powered fraud: deepfake voices, faces, and video chats
13:26 Romance scams that clean people out—millions lost
14:15 Don’t respond to unsolicited texts or calls—ever
15:11 Former SEC officials: crypto exists for crime and tax evasion
16:44 Crypto isn’t investment—it’s gambling with digital vapor
17:25 Insurance crisis: companies fleeing, premiums surging
18:41 Regulators letting insurers raise rates without scrutiny
19:29 Consumer quiz: what to do first if you’re scammed
21:18 Why you should never pay with Zelle or a debit card
22:30 Getting teens a credit card the right way
23:43 Coming soon: Buy Now, Pay Later scams (Costco’s in now too)
24:48 Where to find Herb’s work—Checkbook, Consumerpedia, and ConsumerMan
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Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
