Ever thought of yourself as an unshakeable, scam-dodging ninja? Well, our favorite straight-talking Kiwi, psychologist, Nigel Latta, is back on the tube with a reality check we all might need on how to avoid being scammed.
In his latest TVNZ series, “You’ve Been Scammed By Nigel Latta,” he’s swapping out his past lessons on raising kids and managing finances for a deep dive into the murky waters of cyber scams. This is the kind of road trip where you’ll want to buckle your cyber safety seatbelt tight! This fresh series should be at the top of your must-watch list.
What’s the Fuss About?
After a five-year TV hiatus, Nigel Latta is back with a bang! His new four-part series, “You’ve Been Scammed,” promises to equip you with all the cyber safety knowledge you need to dodge those sneaky scams that creep into your inbox, text messages, or even phone calls.
Nigel says, “Nine out of 10 of you think you can spot a scam,” with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He then spends the next 20 minutes of the show’s first episode shaking that confidence, showing just how easy it is to fall victim to “distractions, deception, and misdirection.”
Overconfidence is a (Cyber) Killer
Nigel partners up with magician and mentalist Brendan Dooley to demonstrate some classic scamming tricks. They effortlessly relieve unsuspecting “volunteers” of their watches and ties, only to present them back as a “gift” for their time. It’s a fun, lively demonstration of how overconfidence can leave us vulnerable to scams.
Don’t Overshare, Ladies!
Next, the spotlight shifts to our tendency as social creatures to overshare, especially on social media platforms. Nigel manages to astonish his subject by guessing personal details about his past, and even his bank card pin number. All this information was fed to him by his friendly “magical helper,” who had simply asked the subject directly and done a bit of online research. The lesson here? Just because someone sounds confident doesn’t mean they’re trustworthy.
The Power of Cyber Risk Awareness
In the first episode, we also hear from Kiwi personal finance guru Frances Cook. She shares her experience of scammers cloning her professional social media profile in an attempt to dupe her 150,000 followers into providing access to their bank accounts. It’s a sobering reminder of the lengths cybercriminals will go to reel us in.
Nigel further illustrates the danger of phishing scams by setting up a scenario with his former show “models.” He sends them a link to a parking website, suggesting they pre-pay for their use while on set and promising reimbursement. However, those with a keen eye might spot a few fishy details on the site that could make them think twice before clicking through.
Why You Should Tune In
Future episodes promise more juicy insights into investment scams and an explanation of FOMO (fear of missing out) using children and chocolate biscuits as an example.
“You’ve Been Scammed” serves up critical real-world knowledge about cyber security and cyber risk in a delightfully entertaining, easy-to-understand format. Nigel Latta has always had a knack for keeping audiences glued to their screens, and we’re thankful he’s using his powers for good.
So ladies, don’t miss out! “You’ve Been Scammed” by Nigel Latta debuts on TVNZ 1 at 8pm on Monday, July 3. Episodes will also be available to stream on TVNZ+. Stay informed, stay safe, and let’s turn cyber safety into our new superpower!
