Topic: New SGU Segment Contest

[Jay]

Guys,  Steve and I have been working on a new segment and I thought getting you involved would be fun.  The segment is about scams and the people who run them.  I am going to host the segment. I plan on boiling down the scan into its core elements, discuss variations of the scam and if possible interview someone who ran the scam or studied it.

Here is where you come in.  First, any other ideas on the overall segment would be great to hear.  Like, lets say I record phone calls where I am a reoccurring victim in a recent scam.  Or I go to a live location and let myself fall almost prey. 

Also, I need a name for the segment.  Here are a couple I came up with today. Scam- a- lama-ding -dong.   Ok that one sucks but how about SCAM WOW!  Or how about something more serious sounding like The Hidden Scan Artist.  Brain storm with each other, morph someone else's idea..but only one can win the prize.  Other than doing a good deed by helping the show...I can be persuaded to send the winner some of the new, not yet released or seen by anyone SGU SWAG! 

Get to work!  I will be checking back often dropping my own comments. 
 

[Moloch]

Sounds very interesting. You're right though, scam-a-lama-ding-dong does suck  Scam Wow is funny for those familiar with Sham Wow but probably a little too "in-joke".

How about.... "Scam School"... no wait that's taken.... "Scam Shop".... "Under the Hoodwinked" (I like that one).... "Jay Gets Hustled".... "The Con Art Review"....

A few other synonyms for scam to work with include: bunko, con, flim flam, gaffle, grift, hustle, scam, scheme, swindle or bamboozle

[Chew]

"All I need is your bank account number"
"Nigerian Nightly News"
"Scam Bait"

[Ctsmith]

Love the idea. If you're not averse to a little confrontation, perhaps you could discover your inner Chris Hansen and go to town on some scammers. In a more lighthearted, SGU fashion of course.

[Green Ideas]

Let's play Scam or Scum!

alternatively: Howz that Scammy?

and yet: The Scam of Things

[Caffiene]

Hmmm... "Con-sideration"?

Or the old carny stand-by for suckers. "Step right up!". Could work well as a segment name because you can put on the voice and make it recognisable.

[Moloch]

I'm partial to "Step right up!" as suggested above.

[Green Ideas]

I'm partial to "Step right up!" as suggested above.

I like it too, but think it's a little bit too clever. It's the silliness that works. "Science or Fiction"? Silly. "Who's that noisy?" Puerile. "Skeptical Puzzle"? See now why it never caught on? Heck, even the entire show's name isn't exactly meant to be taken seriously. And I love it! 

[Henning]

"Bait and Switch"?


This is a great idea for a new segment, Jay. Can't wait!

[chionactis]

How about "Taken In" or "Hook, Line, and Skeptic"?

[DRmeg378]

Scam filter?

[andrewclunn]

I remember a listener e-mail that you responded to a while ago where you talked about a scam where companies sell items at cheap prices, but get your phone number and then call to try to sell you over priced accessories, and then if you don't buy any, they cancel your order.  It was a very useful segment, and I passed it along to a lot of people.  I think a segment like this on skeptical consumer reporting is a great idea.  It would really show the practical application of skepticism.

[DonA1979]

Scam-Wow?

[Eternally Learning]

Can you clarify a tad on what the segment is going to look like?  It sounds to me like you’re saying that primarily you’re going to find some scam somewhere, dissect it to see how it’s run and why people buy into it, and then possibly interview people about it as well?  It sounds like other people think you’re doing more of an ambush thing and if that’s the case then my suggestions will probably be different.

For now though, how about:


Scam-a-Lot

I Want My Money Back

Scat, Scum Scammmer!

Scams, How Do They Work?!

Scameleon

Wait Wait… Don’t Sell Me

There’s a Scammer Born Every Minute


That’s it for now, I’m sure I’ll be back with more.

ETA:
Jay,

Maybe you could add a poll to this thread with your ideas and then if anyone else's idea gets compliments from at least one or two other people (or if you just happen to like it) then you could add it there.  Just a thought...

[andrewclunn]

As far as a name goes, I like, "You can be fooled!"