I Want to Be an Auditor When I Grow Up with Elizabeth McCormick

Scam calls. Scam texts. Scam everything.This week on Fraudish, I’m talking with Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, and let me tell you—we cover it all. From robocalls to text scams to the rise of "romance baiting" (yes, we’re rebranding “pig butchering”), Alex breaks down what’s really going on behind that unknown number blowing up your phone.We also dig into:Why younger people fall for scams more often than you'd thinkEasy ways to protect your privacy (hint: secondary numbers are your friend)How scammers are using tech and emotions to trap peopleAnd yes—safe words aren’t just for kids anymoreIf you think you’re too smart to get scammed, you need to hear this. Stay skeptical, stay protected, and maybe don’t answer that next call from “Scottsdale, AZ.”🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!🛡️ More from Alex + YouMail:Alex on LinkedInYouMailRobocall TrendsFile a Scam Report – FCCAARP’s Scam-Fighting Podcasts

This week, I’m joined by my friend and audit pro Elizabeth McCormick.We chat about her unexpected path into internal audit, starting her own company Audit Forward, and how tools like Power Query and AI are changing the game. Elizabeth also gets real about growing up with congenital hearing loss and how it’s fueled her push for disability inclusion in the profession.We cover fraud, ethics, embracing failure, and why showing up as your full self matters more than ever.🔗 Connect with Elizabeth:LinkedInAudit ForwardMeet Audie

You know I love a good career plot twist, and this week’s episode has plenty! I’m joined by Dean Baratta, an intelligence analyst with a background that includes retail banking, WeWork, and more. (Yes, that WeWork.)We talk about Dean’s unconventional path into the world of intelligence and ethics, what he’s learned about fraud along the way, and how AI is shaking things up faster than you can say “ChatGPT.” In this episode:What his time at WeWork taught him about red flags, ethics, and charismaWhy AI is rewriting the rulesThe underrated power of soft skills and smart networkingHow to actually use your past experience to land your next big thingWhether you’re in fraud, ethics, or just figuring out your next move, this one’s got something for you.Connect with Dean Baratta Connect with Kelly!

Women can be criminals too! This episode of Fraudish I speak with Angie Gad of GadIntel all about why society are biased again women… in a good way? Or is it bad? Let’s get into it! Angie shares her journey from growing up in a post-9/11 era as a child of Arab immigrants in New Jersey to her impactful career in intelligence and counter-terrorism. She has a rather unexpected entry into intelligence and our discussion touches on the importance of creativity and critical thinking in intelligence work! The episode also delves into gender biases in criminal and terrorist profiling, alongside resource guides and training methodologies Angie developed to bridge gaps in the industry.Listen and let me know if you think the bias is a good or a bad one…?Connect with Angie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-gad-117921149/GadIntel: https://www.gadintel.com/

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with forensic accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner Candy Bellau, whose journey into the world of fraud is anything but typical.From never picturing herself as a forensic accountant to building a career in the field, Candy brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of real talk. We dive into the personal side of fraud—because let’s face it, there’s always more to the story.Candy opens up about her own family’s history with fraud (yes, it’s complicated), the mystery of her grandmother’s disappearance, and how those experiences shaped her drive to uncover the truth. We also dig into the three Cs of fraud—culture, controls, and compensation—and why vulnerability might be your most underrated networking skill.Plus: how she’s navigating life as a firm owner ( Check out Kramerica Solutions ), what she wishes more people knew about forensic accounting, and why ethics, culture, and curiosity matter more than ever.What we cover:How Candy found herself in the fraud world (and stayed!)The hidden power of vulnerability in building your networkThe three Cs of fraud and why they’re still relevantCandy’s family story—including a mystery that’s yet to be solvedThe realities of running your own firm (and starting a podcast about it)If you’ve ever felt like the personal and professional are more tangled than we admit—this one’s for you.Connect with Candy:https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicejohnsonkramerica/https://www.kramericasolutions.com/

Think OSINT is just glorified Googling? Think again. In this episode, I chat with Claudia Tietze, a creative technologist who went from film and theater to fraud-fighting. We dig into how OSINT actually works, why creativity matters in investigations, and how AI and ethics collide in this weird little world. Plus, Claudia shares her take on trend spotting and her work building a better OSINT community with Valor.Connect with Claudia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/supersecretsquirrel/Claudia's Medium: https://medium.com/@farallonValinor: https://valinorintelligence.com/

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with the one and only Matt Kelly to talk all things compliance… and trust us, it’s more than just rules and regulations!We kick things off with a big question: Do you need to be a lawyer to work in compliance? The answer? Well… it depends. (Yep, we said it.) But this convo goes far beyond JD requirements. Matt shares his take on how the evolving political landscape is quietly shaping the compliance profession—and why organizational culture matters now more than ever.Whether you’re already in compliance, considering the field, or just want to understand how risk fits into the bigger picture, this episode delivers fresh insights and real talk. Because while rules may change, risk is forever.We cover:Why the "Do I need a JD?" debate in compliance is the wrong starting pointHow shifting political climates influence compliance functionsThe role of culture and change management in today’s orgsWhy compliance isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about understanding risk🧠 A thoughtful, timely conversation with one of the sharpest voices in the industry.Connect with Matt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkellycompliance/Radical Compliance:https://www.radicalcompliance.com/about/https://www.radicalcompliance.com/resources/https://www.radicalcompliance.com/2024/08/05/cco-compensation-update/Resources Mentioned:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_to_Greathttps://heathbrothers.com/books/made-to-stick/https://www.intentionalintegrity.com/robert-chesnut

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Blair Cohen, founder of AuthenticID, for a fascinating look into how fraud has evolved and how technology is fighting back.💡 From his early days in employment screening to launching a cutting-edge identity verification company, Blair shares his unique journey and deep industry insights.🔍 What You'll Learn:How fraud has shifted from solo grifters to organized global networksThe rising threat of synthetic identities, deepfakes, and AI-driven scamsWhy ethical considerations are crucial when developing fraud detection techBlair’s work with the Identity Theft Resource Center and support for severe identity theft victims💬 Whether you're a fraud professional, auditor, or just fascinated by the intersection of tech and cybersecurity, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.🎧 Tune in and learn how to stay one step ahead in the ever-changing world of fraud.Links:Connect with Blair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-cohen/AuthenticID: https://www.authenticid.com/about/Blair Interview: https://pulse2.com/authenticid-profile-blair-cohen-interview/Who is Government: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219551344-who-is-government

What happens when a true crime lover, travel industry insider, and ethical researcher combine forces? You get Vacations Can Be Murder - and in this episode, you’ll learn how it all came to life.Kelly sits down with journalist and author Dawn Barclay, whose latest book blends dark tourism with meticulous storytelling. From haunted hotels to infamous gravesites and real crime scenes across New England, Dawn unpacks how she curates travel experiences rooted in true crime - without sensationalizing or crossing ethical lines.In this episode, fraud pros will take away:How to responsibly research and present sensitive crime contentWhy victim resources are essential in true crime narrativesThe fine line between educational curiosity and exploitationReal-life case stories that influenced Barkley’s writingInsights into balancing public interest with privacy and respectPlus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming regional guides, and why interest in dark tourism is growing.If you're fascinated by the intersection of ethics, storytelling, and criminal history, this one’s for you.Get Dawn’s Book: https://vacationscanbemurder.weebly.com/Subscribe to her Substack https://barrsinister.substack.com/Connect with Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbarclay/Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnbarclayink.com/http://www.dmbarr.com/https://murderpedia.org/https://www.sistersincrime.org/https://jodemillman.com/https://mysterywriters.org/

How do fraudsters convince people to hand over their life savings? And why do so many scams go undetected until it’s too late?In this episode of Fraudish, we dive into the dark world of investment fraud with Stephen Kirk, Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Transportation and author of A Betrayal of Trust. Steven has spent years unraveling Ponzi schemes, asset pooling scams, and securities fraud - cases where victims often lose everything. Stephen formerly led a team of compliance auditors for the Securities Department when he uncovered the frauds discussed in this episode.  He shares the red flags every investor should know, the ethical dilemmas in financial crime, and how compliance loopholes allow fraud to thrive. Plus, we get a glimpse into his upcoming books and how writing helps him process the emotional toll of his work.If you want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with StephenBetrayal of Trust bookhttps://brokercheck.finra.org/Yellowbook CPE