What the Hack? Episode 198: Cory Doctorow Makes Us Wonder if Everything’s a Scam
Apr 29, 2025
Cory Doctorow, science fiction author and digital-rights activist, riffs on how everyday systems hide massive scams. He tells a personal card-fraud tale, explains why platforms and corporate collusion enable fraud, and discusses using forensic research to turn complex white-collar schemes into thriller plots.
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Vacation Skimmer That Beat The Bank
- Cory Doctorow recounted getting his card cloned after using a janky ATM in New Orleans and being fooled by a caller claiming to be his bank.
- Multiple small failures aligned — ATM skimmer, vacation distraction, and a confusing after-hours system — to let the fraudster through.
Verify After-Hours Fraud Calls Immediately
- If told to call an after-hours number later, insist on verification before ending a fraud-related call.
- Call the official fraud center number yourself when possible and confirm the caller's identity.
Swiss Cheese Security Explains Compound Risk
- Doctorow calls this 'Swiss cheese security': many imperfect layers whose holes occasionally line up to allow a breach.
- Small failures in different systems can combine to create a complete security collapse.
