When Dara Starr Tucker decided it was time to find a more affordable place away from the bustle of Nashville, she quickly found the perfect place online. It was a dream rental for a third of her budget, and, yes, she was excited. Then she got there and the creeping sense that all was not kosher descended.

Real estate scams are everywhere. In fact, we’ve covered one before on What the Hack. But what Dara uncovered wins this week’s Cyber Compromise Darwin Award. The perps here took the old rental scam and combined it with a facepalm-worthy mistake on the owner’s part to present Dara (and apparently many others) with a pretty believable set up (which our guest spotted a mile away)  for a cyber smash-and-grab. 

So check it out, and don’t forget that after our guest there’s a Tinfoil Swan waiting for you. This week: How to avoid digital Peeping Toms (or Tammys).

“What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you like it, consider rating us on your favorite podcast service or writing a review. It really helps people find the show.

Read the episode transcript here.

Adam Levin is the former Director of Consumer Affairs for the State of New Jersey, serial entrepreneur and author of Swiped, which he wrote with his sidekick, writer and cyber mensch, Beau Friedlander. With expert commentary from Travis “Here’s What Actually Happened” Taylor, the show gets everything sorted out—or not—but either way you’re going to have a great time. Something weird happen to you? We’ve got your back.

What the Hack with Adam Levin is a production of Loud Tree Media and is produced by Andrew Steven.