Scam Secrets

Scam Secrets

Hosted by Shari Vahl and Alex and Lis · BBC Radio 4

4.7from 29 ratings

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32
Episodes
8
Transcribed
29
Ratings
Weekly
Cadence
2025
First episode

About Scam Secrets

It might look like a perfectly ordinary message. It could come from someone you thought you trusted. Or it could be a phone call that catches you off guard. Whatever the method, the goal is the same. They want your money. But if you know their secrets, you can spot the red flags before it is too late. Shari Vahl, who has investigated fraud for the BBC for 20 years, is joined by the criminologist and forensic linguist, Dr Elisabeth Carter, and Alex Wood - a former criminal who now tries to stop scams - to dissect the shadiest techniques criminals use to steal your cash. In each episode, they dig deep into a different scam, with first-hand accounts from the people targeted, forensic analysis of the techniques and mind games being used - and even secret recordings of the scammers themselves. Got a scam you want us to investigate? Email the team: scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk (mailto:scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk)

Publisher
BBC Radio 4
Category
true crime
Language
en
Explicit
No
First episode
25 Jul 2025
Latest episode
24 Sept 2026
Apple PodcastsSpotifyWebsiteRSS feed

Latest episodes

8 of 32 episodes have a transcript.

  1. 24 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The 'Money Back' Scam

  2. 17 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Mobile Handset Fraud

  3. 10 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The Power of Your Email

Inside a recent episode

The 'Money Back' Scam

Published 24 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And it's Beth Harris. And Beth is the head of financial crime at the Financial Conduct Authority, the FCA. Welcome to Scam Secrets, Beth. Thank you. So you've just heard Jane's story and what happened to her. I mean, what do you make of that? Such a tragic story. It really is. And sadly, she's not alone. […]

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Who has been a guest on Scam Secrets

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

  • Jane
  • Beth Harris
  • Elisabeth Carter
  • Alex Wood
  • Lis Carter

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
17 ratings

Contact Scam Secrets

Guest appearances
Books guests

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Questions about Scam Secrets

Who hosts Scam Secrets?

Shari Vahl and Alex and Lis host the show. Published by BBC Radio 4.

How often do new episodes come out?

The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.

Does Scam Secrets take guests?

Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.

Where can I read transcripts?

8 of 32 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.

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