Show Notes
Alert: Bank Imposter Scam Draining Life Savings & Shocking Truth About Travel Costs Right Now
Clark exposes a dangerous financial scam that is draining people’s entire life savings and explains why your protections might not apply if you fall for it. Financial imposter scams are becoming sharper and more sophisticated. Clark shares the single mandatory step you must take whenever you receive an urgent alert from a fraud department to keep your hard-earned money safe.
Plus, if you're planning a vacation, Clark reveals why shoulder season travel savings have practically vanished this year and what's really driving up the cost of your next trip. From soaring fuel prices to weakening dollar values, cruise lines and airlines are feeling the pinch and passing the expenses on to you. Learn where you can still find genuine travel deals if you’re willing to shift your strategy on the calendar.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the September 30, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.
Saving Your Life’s Savings: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Travel Update: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4
Mentioned on the show:
Warning: A Devastating Bank Impersonation Scam Is Draining Life Savings in Minutes
These Are the Biggest Scams That Cost Seniors the Most Money
This type of scam cost Americans half a BILLION dollars last year
Why Now Is the Best Time To Buy a New Mattress — With One Major Catch
The Best Place To Buy a Mattress - Clark Howard
If ‘fall is really the new summer,’ are there any autumn travel deals left?
International eSIM: The Best Way to Stay Connected | GigSky
eSIM for Cruise Ships: Stay Connected at Sea
5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room - Clark Howard
The Safe Way to Reshop Your Travel Deals and Save Hundreds
Clark.com resources:
Episode transcripts / Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark
Clark.com daily money newsletter
Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275
Best Free Streaming Services in 2026: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters
The Best Phone Plan For You - Compare Phone Plans - Clark Howard
What Credit Card Should I Get - Clark Howard
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from The Clark Howard Podcast
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, - how do we teach our kids and young adults about money? Managing money was simple just a few decades ago: cash was king, consumer choices were limited, and savings accounts earned fixed interest rates. Today, we live in the most over-stored country in the world, surrounded by endless retail options, online shopping, and digital payment methods like Venmo and Cash App. Money has become frictionless and abstract, making it easier than ever for young people to fall into financial traps like recurring subscriptions and impulse spending. Because the modern financial world is vastly more complex, parents can no longer rely on kids picking up smart money habits by osmosis – active teaching while they are still under your roof is essential, as Clark explains.
Winter heating bills won’t be pretty, especially in markets that rely on oil for heat. What can you do now to prepare? Taking control of monthly expenses comes down to knowing where the real price traps are hiding. Clark unpacks the latest updates on winter heating trends and shifting food prices to help you make smarter financial decisions.
Rapid Fire Q&A: Roth Conversion Traps, RMD Spending Rules, & Switching Careers To Finance
Artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented risks for your retirement savings, with AI-driven fraud causing massive financial losses across the country. Deepfakes and voice-cloning technology have become so advanced that scammers can effortlessly mimic real people, leaving brokerage firms and financial institutions vulnerable to fraudulent transfer instructions. Clark has recommendations to help secure your life savings.
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.