Joe Knows Better
Cut through marketplace confusion with Joe Knows Better from BBB Pacific Southwest! Hosted by ex-TV newsman Joe Ducey, this podcast exposes scams, celebrates ethical businesses, and equips you with the knowledge to win as a consumer. Get insider tips, outsmart schemers, and join Joe's mission of helping businesses and consumers get it right! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
He thought he was finally seeing her face.
A video call. A real person. The same face from all the photos.
But something was off.
The lips didn't quite move right.
Looking back, he knows what it was. An AI filter. A fake face layered over a real call, designed to make him believe the person he'd been trusting was actually there.
This is where scams are now. And most people wouldn't catch it.
On this week's Joe Kno...
Hiring a contractor? Don't get scammed!
Have a home improvement job and need to hire a contractor? Where do you find one? What do you need to know about them? Too many people are complaining Better Business Bureau about losing thousands of dollars to contractors taking money upfront and leaving.
In this BBB Joeknowsbetter podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin talk to .... about how to check out your contractor, what the contract ...
Online friend or fraud? She trusted the wrong man!
Not all scams happen from long distances. Some fraudsters operate in plain site. In this BBB Joeknowsbetter podcasts, Ann tells her story about a person she thought was a friend. When he moved away, he reached out needing financial help, not once or twice but multiple times leaving Ann struggling with debt. How did he manipulate Ann into giving him money repeatedly? She tells he...
Make $100s off class action settlements? What they are and how to get involved!
Sometimes businesses settle class action lawsuits for millions of dollars, without admitting any guilt. While lawyers get a big chunk, you can file a claim if you qualify-if you were affected. Joe Ducey talks to a man who files claims, Tracks payouts, and pockets hundreds!
Check out the latest scams at joeknowsbetter.com
#ClassActionSettlem...
Want to save hundreds on your next flight? Try shifting your travel dates.
On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin of BBB talk with Sally French, Travel Expert with Nerdwallet, to share a simple but powerful money saving tip. Leave a day earlier or later.
Tools like Google Flights make it easy to spot the cheapest travel days, and the savings can add up fast, especially for families.
#Trav...
“You’ve won millions!” 🎉
…or so the scammer says.
Scammers called! We called the scammers back using numbers reported to BBB and suddenly we were lottery winners with millions of dollars and luxury cars on the way… all we had to do was pay a “small fee.”
BBB’s Michelle Marin and Jasmine Tucker joined Joe Ducey to turn the tables and see what really happens next.
#ScamAlert #FraudAwareness #LotteryScam #BBB #ScamPrevent...
Think your HOA is just trying to make money? Think again.
On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey sits down with Nery Ralon and Jonathan Brown from GUD Community Management to explain why HOAs are nonprofit entities and how unpaid dues can impact the entire community.
When one homeowner doesn’t pay, everyone feels it.
Tap the link in bio to listen or visit joeknowsbetter.com 🎧
#HOADues #CommunityLiving #Nonp...
This week’s Joe Knows Better podcast has a special kind of energy. ✨
Joe’s conversations often dig into the tougher side of doing business and staying protected… but this episode brings in a whole new vibe.
Jodi Low, Founder and CEO of U & Improved and BBB Board Chairwoman, joins the show to talk about heart-felt leadership and how purpose can transform a business.
If you’ve ever heard Jodi speak, you know she brings p...
Thinking about getting out of your timeshare? ⛱️
The resale market is full of scams targeting owners who just want out. ⚠️
High fees + low resale value = a perfect setup for scammers promising buyers for big upfront costs. 🚫
Joe Ducey talked with Jeremy Russo of Vacation Ownership Consultants, who breaks down a safer approach — working with attorneys to legally cancel contracts. ⚖️
Know the red flags. Protect yourself.
...
Is Arizona holding YOUR money?
More than $2 billion in unclaimed property is sitting with the state — and some of it could belong to you.
We’re talking forgotten bank accounts, safe deposit box items, uncashed checks, gold bars, jewelry, sports collectibles — all tied to real names and last known addresses… and waiting for the rightful owners to claim them.
On this week’s Joe Knows Better podcast, Joe Ducey talks with Rebe...
A single mom of three, on the verge of losing her home, turned to social media for support — and instead found scammers posing as “helpers” with fake investment opportunities.
What started as hope turned into hard-earned money disappearing fast.
In the latest Joe Knows Better podcast, she bravely shares:
• How the scam started
• Why she kept trusting the scammers
• The red flags she missed
• And what she’s doing now to fight back
...
If you’re renting, you’ve probably seen your fair share of confusing fees and deposits—but do you know what’s actually legal?
From application fees to support animals, BBB’s Joe Ducey sits down with Deborah Simmons of Advantage Arizona Real Estate & Property Management and Michael Kotin of Kay-Kay Realty Corp to break down what renters should (and shouldn’t) be paying for.
Learn how to protect your wallet, your rights, an...
Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7, and while that means it’s time to review your coverage… it also means scammers are getting ready to strike. ⚠️
📞 Be cautious of calls about “new benefits.”
🚫 Never share your Medicare number with strangers.
📋 And watch out for reps who don’t understand your local coverage — you could end up with a plan you can’t even use.
Carol Brown from the Area Agency on Aging shares important...
Hiring a contractor soon? 🛠️ Whether it’s home repairs, landscaping, or even putting in a pool — protecting your project and your money starts with asking the right questions.
In this episode, BBB’s Joe Ducey talks with Arizona Registrar of Contractors Director Tom Cole + Assistant Director Cindy Casaus about:
✔️ The 3 questions you must ask before hiring
✔️ What to look for in a contract
✔️ How much to pay upfront
✔️ The recov...
Scammers are getting bolder, and BBB Scam Tracker is seeing a spike in reports—from bogus rental application fees charged before you can even view a property, to fake job offers, romance scams, loan schemes, and crypto cons draining wallets fast.
BBB’s Joe Ducey and Michelle Marin are breaking down the top 5 scams happening right now so you know what to look out for and can keep your money safe.
#ScamAlert #RentalScams #...
Skyrocketing insurance rates? You’re not alone.
If you drive a car, you’ve probably felt the sting—some rates have doubled or even tripled!
So what can you do to fight back? Should you file that claim or pay out of pocket? What actually helps lower your premium?
On this episode, BBB’s Joe Ducey teams up with Nathan Mason of Insurance Professionals of Arizona to share real strategies for cutting costs without cutting corner...
🚗 Car trouble can turn your whole day upside down—but rushing into repairs might cost you more than time or money.
In this week’s episode of Joe Knows Better, Joe Ducey dives into the world of auto repair with special guests Eric Newton of Curt’s Auto Repair and Dave Riccio of Tri-City Transmission.
They break down how to avoid getting ripped off, what signs point to trustworthy service, and why a second opinion could save ...
Think you can spot a scam? Think again.
From fake vacation rentals to sketchy job offers and scammy shopping sites—fraud is everywhere right now.
Joe Ducey teams up with BBB’s Michelle Marin in the latest Joe Knows Better podcast to break down the scams hitting hardest—and how to stay safe.
🎧 Listen now at joeknowsbetter.com
#ScamTok #VacationScam #FakeListings #JobScam #OnlineScams #TravelWarning
#VacationS...
81,000 people reported scams to BBB last year—$12 BILLION lost.📢
BBB Scam Survivor Day (May 8) is about raising awareness through real stories.
Kirstin thought she was just reviewing her doctor—until someone offered her paid gigs writing reviews.
She wasn’t job hunting, but the money was tempting… until it turned sketchy.
Hear how she caught on before losing a dime—and what you need to watch for.
$8,000 Gone: A Local Online Shopping Scam Story
Bill thought he found a great deal on a shipping container through Facebook Marketplace. It looked legit—local, affordable, and exactly what he needed.
But to lock in the price, he had to wire the money upfront. That one payment cost him nearly $8,000. 💸
Now, he’s sharing his story on the Joe Knows Better podcast to help others avoid the same fate.
📅 May 8 is BBB Scam Su...
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