Anna Helhoski

We're joined by the author, Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Michelle, thanks for joining us. Oh, thank you for having me. We're talking about a seven-part series, so you should check out the entire thing. But Michelle, if you could give us a condensed version of how this scam played out.

We're joined by the author, Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Michelle, thanks for joining us. Oh, thank you for having me. We're talking about a seven-part series, so you should check out the entire thing. But Michelle, if you could give us a condensed version of how this scam played out.

What was it that convinced her that the con was real? What about this particular type of scam makes it so believable?

What was it that convinced her that the con was real? What about this particular type of scam makes it so believable?

What was it that convinced her that the con was real? What about this particular type of scam makes it so believable?

You point out the judgment Judith was likely to face in the wake of this crime. How could you hand over so much money and why didn't you see red flags? I do hate to admit it, but anytime I hear about a scam, that tends to be my initial reaction. It's so easy to put blame on the victim. But is one of the takeaways from your reporting that this can actually happen to anyone?

You point out the judgment Judith was likely to face in the wake of this crime. How could you hand over so much money and why didn't you see red flags? I do hate to admit it, but anytime I hear about a scam, that tends to be my initial reaction. It's so easy to put blame on the victim. But is one of the takeaways from your reporting that this can actually happen to anyone?

You point out the judgment Judith was likely to face in the wake of this crime. How could you hand over so much money and why didn't you see red flags? I do hate to admit it, but anytime I hear about a scam, that tends to be my initial reaction. It's so easy to put blame on the victim. But is one of the takeaways from your reporting that this can actually happen to anyone?

How did Judith ultimately find out that she had been scammed? And is it clear where her money ended up?

How did Judith ultimately find out that she had been scammed? And is it clear where her money ended up?

How did Judith ultimately find out that she had been scammed? And is it clear where her money ended up?

Now, Judith is older, and there's this perception that seniors are more vulnerable. I myself saw my grandmother scammed out of quite a bit of money several years ago. They told her that they had my brother held hostage in Canada. But the Federal Trade Commission says people in their 20s are scammed at higher rates than those in older age brackets. That's exactly right.

Now, Judith is older, and there's this perception that seniors are more vulnerable. I myself saw my grandmother scammed out of quite a bit of money several years ago. They told her that they had my brother held hostage in Canada. But the Federal Trade Commission says people in their 20s are scammed at higher rates than those in older age brackets. That's exactly right.

Now, Judith is older, and there's this perception that seniors are more vulnerable. I myself saw my grandmother scammed out of quite a bit of money several years ago. They told her that they had my brother held hostage in Canada. But the Federal Trade Commission says people in their 20s are scammed at higher rates than those in older age brackets. That's exactly right.

That's great advice. Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Thank you so much for taking us through this journey and for your reporting.

That's great advice. Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Thank you so much for taking us through this journey and for your reporting.

That's great advice. Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Thank you so much for taking us through this journey and for your reporting.

Oh, it's the last week of work for us before a holiday break.

Oh, it's the last week of work for us before a holiday break.

Oh, it's the last week of work for us before a holiday break.