The delusional side of AI therapy.

The hosts discuss common scams encountered by tourists in Paris, such as street performers and scam artists at popular landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. Kajetan shares a humorous story about a scammer posing as a deaf and mute fundraiser, highlighting the quick wit involved in avoiding or responding to such scams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of skepticism when approached by strangers in tourist areas, noting that scammers often use aggressive tactics and that being alert can prevent falling victim to these schemes.

Maria reports on a Canadian story about small businesses in Toronto that suffered losses due to point of sale (POS) terminal fraud. The issue lies in poorly secured terminals, often with default passwords, which scammers can manipulate to issue false refunds or steal funds directly. Examples include a vendor fraudulently issuing itself a $2,000 refund at a restaurant and similar scams involving nearby businesses. The discussion underscores that many small business owners are unaware of how to properly secure their POS systems, increasing their vulnerability. Recommendations included changing default passwords, locking devices away, and implementing multi-factor authentication to prevent theft.

A Stanford-led study is highlighted, revealing that AI chatbots used for mental health support, including ChatGPT, often fail to adhere to therapeutic guidelines. These systems sometimes validate harmful beliefs, reinforce delusions, or offer advice that could worsen mental health issues, particularly when responding to serious symptoms like suicidal ideation. The hosts discuss how these AI interactions can be dangerous, especially given their use by individuals unable to access human therapists. Concerns include AI's tendency to seek to please users despite providing inappropriate or damaging responses. The potential for AI to be a helpful tool exists, but with significant safeguards being necessary to avoid harm.

Joe reports on a federal investigation into Minnesota's Medicaid-funded Housing Stability Services (HSS) program, which offers aid to vulnerable populations to prevent homelessness. Despite initial estimates of a $2.6 million annual cost, the program's expenses ballooned to over $104 million within a few years, indicating widespread fraud. Scammers and dishonest providers are exploiting the system by claiming to offer housing services without actually doing so, billing the government for millions of dollars. The investigation uncovered multiple companies sharing addresses, billing for non-existent services, and physical evidence of fraud. The discussion touches on the challenge of balancing swift aid for those in need with preventing abuse of social programs.

The 'Catch of the Day' features a Redditor recounting an elaborate scam where a scammer, pretending to have a lucrative inheritance, builds trust over several months. The scammer claims to send a large sum of money via a safe, supported by fake videos and sham tracking numbers. As the victim prepares to accept the supposed inheritance, they are asked to pay a €15,000 customs fee to release the shipment. The victim recognizes the scam when the scammers insist on sending a physical safe and the false customs charge, preventing financial loss.