”Old Scams in Shiny New Packages” Podcasts
Scams and other risks have been around for a long time. On these podcasts we use 20th century experiences and ideas to better understand 21st century scams, risks, and potential approaches. We also discuss some of the modern tech tools and their potential usefulness in protecting your privacy and safety.
Episodes
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Romance Scams: Too Good To Be True?
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
What do handsome men in nice cars, catfishing, and Henry VIII all have in common? They are all stories about romance- and love-related scams. Learn about romance scams and and how we think AI will change dating in the future in this episode.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
AARP: Learn How to Avoid Romance Scams: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/romance/
FBI: Elder Fraud, in Focus: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/elder-fraud-in-focus
Plenty of Fish dating site data: https://www.doulike.com/blog/statistics/pof-statistics/
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Your Private Messenger
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
I see them advertised a lot online. What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and how it is like the Bible story of Jonah and the Whale? Learn about the usefulness and limitations of a VPN in this episode.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
Why Use a VPN? Here Are 6 Reasons to Use a VPN: https://share.google/o0kLJrKwWz54HG64u
These 18 Popular VPNs Share Parent Companies and Privacy Risks: https://share.google/ipkoBqfqou5lEHyFg
Microsoft: Are VPNs safe and secure? https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-a-vpn
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Read Legalese or Click Thru?
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
I downloaded an app, installed it, and now have to read a legal document to use the app. What should I do when confronted with this modern "fine print"? Read a lengthy, confusing legal document or just "accept" the terms of use? This podcast helps you better understand the situation and gives you things to think about for the future.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
Google Privacy Policy – Privacy & Terms – https://share.google/BjOgb8WTFgHZDtU15
Apple Privacy Policy - https://share.google/FIvIJ7YZrpeWyJ9ib
Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81602884?s=a&trkid=13747225&trg=cp&vlang=en&clip=81770074
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Web Sites and Storefronts
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Monday Nov 24, 2025
How is looking at a potentially bad Web site like walking thru a European town in the 1980's? This podcast helps you today by using skills you've developed in the past. We also discuss the risks and benefits of modern location services and talk thru the process of evaluating a potentially fraudulent email message.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
Wikipedia entry for Filene’s Basement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filene%27s_Basement
Wikipedia entry for a web browser’s address bar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_bar
Domain Name System (DNS) lookup: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/dns-lookup
Friday Nov 07, 2025
The Cloud and Salt Mines
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
What is the computer "cloud"? Is it safe and secure? This episode discusses the history and usefulness of the computer cloud. We also discuss the privacy and security implications of putting files and data on cloud-based servers.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
What is the cloud? See https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-the-cloud
A million library books to be sent down the mines - Manchester Evening News https://share.google/3FTqtYVgnklFgzQDw
Amazon Web Services: see https://aws.amazon.com/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Privacy and Security Basics
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
What exactly is "privacy"? What is "security"? How are they related? This wide-ranging discussion defines these terms and explains how they work with each other. It also touches on lessons from the animal kingdom, the history of the Internet, and how it relates to the automobile industry.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
Dictionary definition of “privacy”: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privacy
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) definition of “privacy”: https://iapp.org/about/what-is-privacy/
Data protection and privacy laws now in effect in 144 countries: https://iapp.org/news/a/data-protection-and-privacy-laws-now-in-effect-in-144-countries
“There is no explicit mention of privacy in the U.S. Constitution” Source: https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/privacy/
IBM’s Systems Network Architecture (see description at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Network_Architecture) and Systems Application Architecture (see description at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Systems_Application_Architecture)
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. It is a U.S. federal law that protects individuals' health information. See details at https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Why Are We Doing This?
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Why do we want to do these podcasts? What can we contribute? This podcast explains our motivations and unique perspectives on helping older people deal with the risks and challenges associated with living in the 21st century.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
FBI Releases Annual Internet Crime Report: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-annual-internet-crime-report
GAO report “Information Superhighway: An Overview of Technology Challenges” at https://www.gao.gov/products/aimd-95-23
Netscape See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape
America Online See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AOL
“Elder fraud is a growing problem and a shameful crime,” said Kimberly Milka, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. See https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/fbi-highlights-growing-number-of-reported-elder-fraud-cases-ahead-of-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day
Monday Nov 03, 2025
The Cost of Security
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Passwords are confusing and a hassle. Now companies also want to send me a code on my phone. Can’t we make this easier?
During this episode we talk about historical analogies to modern information security costs and hassles. We also offer some advice and insights into dealing with these issues.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.

About the Author
John P Rehberger is a retired government official. He spent his career advising senior managers in the US federal government in the areas of technology and financial management. He has 30 years of senior management decision-making experience. He has graduate degrees in both business and technology and has multiple professional certifications.

Key Collaborators
Don Wood (on the left) and Robin Laffosse (on the right) have been critical to developing these podcasts. Don is John's primary partner on these podcasts, has reviewed the draft material, and has provided critical insights and questions. Robin has been instrumental in the development of this podcast series and reviewing the podcasts.




