Money talk isn’t always comfortable—but it’s necessary.

In this powerful episode of Garage Talk with Bill Haase, Bill sits down with special guest Ed Holiday for one of the most honest and eye-opening conversations about financial scams you’ll hear this year.

Ed shares his devastating experience of being scammed out of $200,000 in cryptocurrency on Valentine’s Day 2025. What makes this story even more chilling? The scammers posed as legitimate representatives from Google and Coinbase, using urgency, authority, and advanced technology to manipulate and deceive.

Ed walks listeners step-by-step through:

• How the scammers gained his trust

• The tactics they used to access his accounts

• The emotional impact of losing six figures

• The guilt and shame that followed

• The immediate steps he took to protect himself afterward

He also discusses his new book, Crypto Con: My 200K Nightmare, where he documents the full story and provides practical strategies to help others avoid falling into similar traps.

Bill opens up about his own experience with a financial scam involving a fake Dubai investment opportunity, adding depth to the conversation about how easily anyone can become a target.

This episode goes beyond just telling a story. It dives into:

• The rise of crypto and digital impersonation scams

• How technology is making scams more convincing

• Why intelligent, successful people still get targeted

• The emotional and psychological toll of financial fraud

• How to freeze credit, secure accounts, and rebuild confidence

Most importantly, Bill and Ed emphasize this message:

Being scammed does not define you—but staying uneducated might cost you.

If you care about protecting your money, your family, and your financial future, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Garage Talk is where real money conversations happen—without ego, without shame, and without filters.

Listen now. Learn the warning signs. Protect yourself.

Get his Book: https://a.co/d/0fZqrZgN

Welcome to the very first episode of Garage Talk with Bill Haase—where real conversations about money, mindset, and financial literacy happen without the fluff.

In Episode 1, Bill Haase is joined by credit experts John Mackey and JS Whaldo for a powerful, eye-opening discussion about the truth behind credit scores and how they really impact your financial life.

From the basics of credit score ranges (500–800) to the myths around checking your score daily, the trio breaks down what most people don’t understand about credit models, underwriting, and lending decisions. You’ll learn why your mortgage score may be different from your car loan score, how revolving debt affects your profile, and why the specific FICO model being used truly matters.

They also tackle one of today’s biggest financial concerns—medical debt. Discover how new scoring models like FICO 10T are changing the game and what that means for mortgage approvals. Plus, get insight into lender guidelines, manual overrides, and how underwriting really works behind the scenes.

But it doesn’t stop there.

This episode dives deep into:

• The hidden dangers of predatory lending

• How marketing and psychology influence debt behavior

• The difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval

• Why financial education is your best defense

John Mackey and JS Whaldo share resources from their Substack platforms and emphasize the importance of continuous learning in today’s complex financial world.

The message is clear: Live your financial life with intent—not by default.

If you’ve ever felt confused about credit scores, overwhelmed by debt, or unsure how lenders make decisions, this episode is your starting point toward clarity and confidence.

Tune in and take control of your financial future.

Episode Links:

Connect with John Mackey - https://creditgenius.substack.com/

Connect with JS Whaldo - https://substack.com/@jswhaldo

Connect with Bill: www.moneymindsetmedia.com Get the Book: https://a.co/d/0fZqrZgN