This Conversation Could Save You Thousands of Dollars

If you’ve ever clicked “Accept All Cookies,” ignored software updates, saved your passwords, or logged into free Wi-Fi, you have to hear this. The little “harmless” things you do online are exactly what scammers count on. In today’s conversation, Mel sits down with award-winning cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian (aka “Cybersecurity Girl”) to give you the short and simple checklist of things that protect your money, your identity, and your privacy online. You don’t need to understand cybersecurity. You just need to stop treating online habits like they’re harmless, because they can leave you open for a scam. This isn’t about being paranoid, it’s about realizing that a few tiny changes can shut down most online threats. This conversation will educate and inform you. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The biggest cybersecurity mistake almost everyone makes (and how to fix it fast) -The #1 Venmo scam happening right now, and exactly what to do if it happens to you -What to do immediately if your phone is lost or stolen -The 5 essential moves that protect you from most online threats -The fastest way to spot scam links, fake emails, and panic-based phone calls -How to protect your parents, your kids, and your entire family from getting scammed -Simple settings to check tonight: camera, microphone, location, and account access Bookmark this episode and share it with your partner, your parents, and your friends. This is the kind of information that can prevent a mistake you can’t undo. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-371/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet The Guest 6:11 What Cybersecurity Means & Why It Matters 7:54 Privacy Tips: How to Protect Your Information Online 13:59 Public Wi‑Fi Risks: What to Know and What to Avoid 18:55 Password Security: Password Managers, Security Questions, & Notes App Risks 24:07 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes That Get You Hacked 30:52 Common Payment App Scams & How to Avoid Them 37:08 What to Do After a Data Breach: Step-by-Step Damage Control 38:04 The Fastest Way to Stop Identity Theft 39:27 How to Protect Seniors From Online Scams 41:00 Kids Online Safety Tools: How to Protect Your Children Online 42:53 Sextortion Help: What to Do + Where to Report Online Crimes 44:48 What to Do Immediately If Your Phone Is Stolen 46:32 The Risk of Wearable Technology 51:22 3 Privacy Settings to Check in Your Apps (Do This Now) 54:21 Facial Recognition Explained: How It Works & Privacy Risks 58:31 Can Home Security Systems & Cameras Be Hacked? 1:04:47 5 Essential Online Safety Tips to Prevent Hacking & Scams — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostCaitlin Sarianguest

Feb 19, 20261h 13mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: February 19, 2026
Duration: 1h 13m
Channel: The Mel Robbins Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

If you’ve ever clicked “Accept All Cookies,” ignored software updates, saved your passwords, or logged into free Wi-Fi, you have to hear this. The little “harmless” things you do online are exactly what scammers count on. In today’s conversation, Mel sits down with award-winning cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian (aka “Cybersecurity Girl”) to give you the short and simple checklist of things that protect your money, your identity, and your privacy online. You don’t need to understand cybersecurity. You just need to stop treating online habits like they’re harmless, because they can leave you open for a scam. This isn’t about being paranoid, it’s about realizing that a few tiny changes can shut down most online threats. This conversation will educate and inform you. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The biggest cybersecurity mistake almost everyone makes (and how to fix it fast) -The #1 Venmo scam happening right now, and exactly what to do if it happens to you -What to do immediately if your phone is lost or stolen -The 5 essential moves that protect you from most online threats -The fastest way to spot scam links, fake emails, and panic-based phone calls -How to protect your parents, your kids, and your entire family from getting scammed -Simple settings to check tonight: camera, microphone, location, and account access Bookmark this episode and share it with your partner, your parents, and your friends. This is the kind of information that can prevent a mistake you can’t undo. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-371/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet The Guest 6:11 What Cybersecurity Means & Why It Matters 7:54 Privacy Tips: How to Protect Your Information Online 13:59 Public Wi‑Fi Risks: What to Know and What to Avoid 18:55 Password Security: Password Managers, Security Questions, & Notes App Risks 24:07 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes That Get You Hacked 30:52 Common Payment App Scams & How to Avoid Them 37:08 What to Do After a Data Breach: Step-by-Step Damage Control 38:04 The Fastest Way to Stop Identity Theft 39:27 How to Protect Seniors From Online Scams 41:00 Kids Online Safety Tools: How to Protect Your Children Online 42:53 Sextortion Help: What to Do + Where to Report Online Crimes 44:48 What to Do Immediately If Your Phone Is Stolen 46:32 The Risk of Wearable Technology 51:22 3 Privacy Settings to Check in Your Apps (Do This Now) 54:21 Facial Recognition Explained: How It Works & Privacy Risks 58:31 Can Home Security Systems & Cameras Be Hacked? 1:04:47 5 Essential Online Safety Tips to Prevent Hacking & Scams — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

SPEAKERS

Mel Robbins
host
Caitlin Sarian
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Caitlin Sarian, This Conversation Could Save You Thousands of Dollars explores cybersecurity expert shares five nightly habits to prevent scams and hacks Mel Robbins interviews award-winning cybersecurity educator Caitlin Sarian to demystify personal cybersecurity and explain why “it’s not if, it’s when” for scams and account takeovers.

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