New Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Podcast Episode Explores AI-Powered Scams and How to Stay Safe

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has released a new episode of its podcast, Consumer Connection, titled “Unmasking AI’s Role in Scams.” This episode highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scams and provides listeners with essential tips to protect their personal information.

Host Michelle Escobar, an OCP investigator, is joined by Keith Young, chief information security officer at the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions' (TEBS) Office of Enterprise Information Security. Together, they explore how scammers are using AI to deceive consumers, from phishing attacks to grandparent scams. They also discuss how fraudsters create a sense of urgency with false information to trick victims, offering real-world examples and expert advice on recognizing red flags.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into strategies for safeguarding themselves and their loved ones, such as identifying AI-generated fraud, creating strong passwords and verifying urgent requests before responding. As AI-powered scams become more sophisticated, staying informed and adopting proactive cybersecurity habits is important.

The episode “Unmasking AI’s Role in Scams” is available now on OCP’s website and various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

Future episodes will cover topics such as avoiding scams, making informed purchasing decisions and understanding consumer rights. Listeners are encouraged to email questions and ideas for episodes to [email protected].

The Office of Broadband Programs, part of TEBS, provides technical support for the Consumer Connection podcast.

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection is located at 100 Maryland Ave., Suite 3600, in Rockville. Walk-in hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information or to file a consumer complaint, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311, or visit the OCP website.

Stay connected with OCP on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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Release ID: 25-059
Media Contact: Brittany Freeman 240-777-3732
Categories: Business, Consumer, Education, Podcast, Senior