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Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Ripoff Artists
Frank Abagnale reveals the methods used by the world's most skillful con artists to steal billions of dollars each year from unsuspecting Americans--and teaches five simple rules that will help us protect our money.
Former con artist Frank Abagnale became famous when his early life was chronicled in the hit movie Catch Me If You Can. For the past four decades he's been working for the good guys, helping the FBI, financial institutions, corporations, and law enforcement avoid the kinds of scams that target Americans today.
His new book is about the very latest tricks that today's scammers, hackers, and con-artists use to steal your money and personal information -- often online and over the phone. Using plain language and vivid examples, Abagnale reveals, for example...
* The one type of photo you should never post on Facebook.
* The only conditions under which you should use WiFi networks at the airport.
* The best way to protect your phone from being hacked.
* The only type of ATM you should use.
Explaining his simple but counterintuitive rules to protect yourself, Abagnale also makes use of his insider intel to paint a picture of cybercrimes that haven't become widespread yet.
Former con artist Frank Abagnale became famous when his early life was chronicled in the hit movie Catch Me If You Can. For the past four decades he's been working for the good guys, helping the FBI, financial institutions, corporations, and law enforcement avoid the kinds of scams that target Americans today.
His new book is about the very latest tricks that today's scammers, hackers, and con-artists use to steal your money and personal information -- often online and over the phone. Using plain language and vivid examples, Abagnale reveals, for example...
* The one type of photo you should never post on Facebook.
* The only conditions under which you should use WiFi networks at the airport.
* The best way to protect your phone from being hacked.
* The only type of ATM you should use.
Explaining his simple but counterintuitive rules to protect yourself, Abagnale also makes use of his insider intel to paint a picture of cybercrimes that haven't become widespread yet.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 27, 2019
308 people are currently reading
1505 people want to read
About the author
Frank W. Abagnale
19 books290 followersBorn and raised in the Westchester County city of Bronxville, New York, Abagnale attended Iona Preparatory School, an all boys Catholic high school which is run by the Irish Christian Brothers. He was the third of four children (two brothers and one sister) born to a French mother, Paula Abagnale, and an American father, Frank William Abagnale, Sr.
One of the early signs of his future as a fraudster came when, after purchasing a car, he persuaded his father to lend him his Mobil card. With this card, he would purchase large quantities of car parts, such as tires, batteries, engines and fuel. The purchases were on paper only, the goods were never taken from the shelves. In an agreement with the gas station attendant, he would then immediately return the items for cash for less than the price at which they were purchased, the remainder being pocketed by the attendant. Not realizing that the card was in his father's name, he tricked his dad out of $3400, doing this to pay for dates, before the local Mobil branch sought his father out for questioning and expecting payment. Upon being confronted, Abagnale confessed to his father that "it's the girls that make me crazy", but escaped punishment for the incident. Later, his mother placed him for four months in a special Catholic Charities school for juvenile offenders.
In 1964, when he was 16, his parents divorced. The experience was so traumatic that he ran away during a court break. It was the last time he saw his father, though he renewed contact with his mother after seven years.
Living alone in New York City after running away, he became known as the "Big Nale", later shortened to just "Big". He decided to exploit his mature appearance and alter his driver's license to make it appear that he was ten years older to get a job. However Abagnale, posing as a high school dropout in his mid-twenties, quickly learned the more education one has, the more one is paid. Desperate to survive, he soon began working as a confidence trickster to earn money.
He has since become the founder of a secure-document corporation based in Washington DC. He lectures regularly worldwide and lives in the Midwest with his wife and three sons.
One of the early signs of his future as a fraudster came when, after purchasing a car, he persuaded his father to lend him his Mobil card. With this card, he would purchase large quantities of car parts, such as tires, batteries, engines and fuel. The purchases were on paper only, the goods were never taken from the shelves. In an agreement with the gas station attendant, he would then immediately return the items for cash for less than the price at which they were purchased, the remainder being pocketed by the attendant. Not realizing that the card was in his father's name, he tricked his dad out of $3400, doing this to pay for dates, before the local Mobil branch sought his father out for questioning and expecting payment. Upon being confronted, Abagnale confessed to his father that "it's the girls that make me crazy", but escaped punishment for the incident. Later, his mother placed him for four months in a special Catholic Charities school for juvenile offenders.
In 1964, when he was 16, his parents divorced. The experience was so traumatic that he ran away during a court break. It was the last time he saw his father, though he renewed contact with his mother after seven years.
Living alone in New York City after running away, he became known as the "Big Nale", later shortened to just "Big". He decided to exploit his mature appearance and alter his driver's license to make it appear that he was ten years older to get a job. However Abagnale, posing as a high school dropout in his mid-twenties, quickly learned the more education one has, the more one is paid. Desperate to survive, he soon began working as a confidence trickster to earn money.
He has since become the founder of a secure-document corporation based in Washington DC. He lectures regularly worldwide and lives in the Midwest with his wife and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
May 18, 2023
I'm starting to feel creaky.
Not a lot! But just a little bit...less young.
I had this sudden realization that I'm going to have to be proactive about shit, or I could end up sitting on the front porch mumbling to myself and throwing cans of beans at the neighborhood kids.
Shhh. That's my fear. Just go with it.
I'm looking for books to help keep me from turning into, well, my peers! I feel old age creeping up on me as I watch from afar the people I went to high school with copy and paste dumbass shit on social media sites. Or as friends text me iffy links that ask me to sign up and help them win free prizes or free money from something they've found on god knows what website.
Has the zombie apocalypse happened and I was too busy not watching the news to notice it?!
And it was with a dawning horror that I wondered not if, but when, this sickness was going to hit me.
Enter my search for these sorts of books.
So. Who is Frank W. Abagnale?
Most of you will know him as the main character from the lighthearted movie Catch Me If You Can starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Abagnale, after working with the FBI for years to help catch con artists and scammers just like himself, is now in his 70s and has written another book.
There is quite a bit of useful information in this.
Yes, even for those of us who are aware of what the internet is like.
I was expecting to find that I knew most of the scams. And I did. But what I didn't know were a lot of the tips that will help me become less vulnerable to identity theft, and how to do some preparatory work that will help me recover faster if/when I do get hit by someone who gets hold of my information.
Simple things like verifying my social security number so that someone else can't verify it for themselves and cause me a shitload of problems.
There were so many little things like that sprinkled throughout!
Within a few minutes of listening to the book, Abagnale had already pointed out something that I really should have already done but didn't even realize I could do.
Putting my cell phone number on the National Do Not Call List. I don't know why I thought that was only for landlines. And who has those anymore?
1-888-382-1222 <--US only
Will it stop illegal scammers? No. But it will stop nuisance calls AND you'll know that anyone who is calling you certainly ISN'T legit.
Eh? Eh?
Also, opt out of getting credit card offers in the mail by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or by visiting optoutprescreen.com.
The point of doing that is so you don't make it easy for any a-holes digging through your trash to commandeer these offers and start opening up cards under your name.
Obviously, do not take my word that it is the correct number and check it out for yourself.
ALWAYS.
This is an edit that I'm adding in. A tip. A free tip!
And it was one that I took advantage of myself. I can't add a link but you can Google this:
What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
Federal Trade Commission (.gov)
You can find the links on US Federal Trade Commission's site that will take you to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These are the 3 top credit bureaus. And for zero cost to yourself, you can freeze your credit. Which means no one can open credit cards under your name.
If you decide you want to open a new credit card, you just go to all 3 sites and unfreeze your credit.
Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.
Now, it takes a few minutes of your time to open an account with each credit bureau and then click the button to freeze your credit.
BUT.
Think of how stupid you'll feel if you knew you should have done this and then your identity gets stolen? Do you really want some douchebag running around with a credit card with your name on it?
No. No, you do not!
There is also an option to place your credit on alert. This means that these companies will notify you if someone (possibly yourself) is trying to open a line of credit. I'm not sure how long they will do that for free, though. But even if you had to pay a little $$ for the alert, I think it would be worth it, if your other option is doing nothing.
Alright. For those of you like me out there?
This book actually has a lot of really great advice that will help you tighten up your personal information. And most of us can use all the help we can get. For every 5 things he told me that I already knew, there was some little tidbit he shared that I did not know. And of course, me being me, I would pause the book and call one of my girlfriends to ask them if they were aware that they should be doing such-n-such. And no! They didn't know it, either! And while some of my friends are complete dingdongs that click the sketchy link, quite a few shred their mail and don't list their birthdays on Facebook.
So while this book isn't exactly a fun romp I learned a lot.
If you are interested in Abagnale, you can Google his presentations and watch them, as well.
Highly Recommended.
Not a lot! But just a little bit...less young.
I had this sudden realization that I'm going to have to be proactive about shit, or I could end up sitting on the front porch mumbling to myself and throwing cans of beans at the neighborhood kids.
Shhh. That's my fear. Just go with it.
I'm looking for books to help keep me from turning into, well, my peers! I feel old age creeping up on me as I watch from afar the people I went to high school with copy and paste dumbass shit on social media sites. Or as friends text me iffy links that ask me to sign up and help them win free prizes or free money from something they've found on god knows what website.
Has the zombie apocalypse happened and I was too busy not watching the news to notice it?!
And it was with a dawning horror that I wondered not if, but when, this sickness was going to hit me.
Enter my search for these sorts of books.
So. Who is Frank W. Abagnale?
Most of you will know him as the main character from the lighthearted movie Catch Me If You Can starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Abagnale, after working with the FBI for years to help catch con artists and scammers just like himself, is now in his 70s and has written another book.
There is quite a bit of useful information in this.
Yes, even for those of us who are aware of what the internet is like.
I was expecting to find that I knew most of the scams. And I did. But what I didn't know were a lot of the tips that will help me become less vulnerable to identity theft, and how to do some preparatory work that will help me recover faster if/when I do get hit by someone who gets hold of my information.
Simple things like verifying my social security number so that someone else can't verify it for themselves and cause me a shitload of problems.
There were so many little things like that sprinkled throughout!
Within a few minutes of listening to the book, Abagnale had already pointed out something that I really should have already done but didn't even realize I could do.
Putting my cell phone number on the National Do Not Call List. I don't know why I thought that was only for landlines. And who has those anymore?
1-888-382-1222 <--US only
Will it stop illegal scammers? No. But it will stop nuisance calls AND you'll know that anyone who is calling you certainly ISN'T legit.
Eh? Eh?
Also, opt out of getting credit card offers in the mail by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or by visiting optoutprescreen.com.
The point of doing that is so you don't make it easy for any a-holes digging through your trash to commandeer these offers and start opening up cards under your name.
Obviously, do not take my word that it is the correct number and check it out for yourself.
ALWAYS.
This is an edit that I'm adding in. A tip. A free tip!
And it was one that I took advantage of myself. I can't add a link but you can Google this:
What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
Federal Trade Commission (.gov)
You can find the links on US Federal Trade Commission's site that will take you to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These are the 3 top credit bureaus. And for zero cost to yourself, you can freeze your credit. Which means no one can open credit cards under your name.
If you decide you want to open a new credit card, you just go to all 3 sites and unfreeze your credit.
Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.
Now, it takes a few minutes of your time to open an account with each credit bureau and then click the button to freeze your credit.
BUT.
Think of how stupid you'll feel if you knew you should have done this and then your identity gets stolen? Do you really want some douchebag running around with a credit card with your name on it?
No. No, you do not!
There is also an option to place your credit on alert. This means that these companies will notify you if someone (possibly yourself) is trying to open a line of credit. I'm not sure how long they will do that for free, though. But even if you had to pay a little $$ for the alert, I think it would be worth it, if your other option is doing nothing.
Alright. For those of you like me out there?
This book actually has a lot of really great advice that will help you tighten up your personal information. And most of us can use all the help we can get. For every 5 things he told me that I already knew, there was some little tidbit he shared that I did not know. And of course, me being me, I would pause the book and call one of my girlfriends to ask them if they were aware that they should be doing such-n-such. And no! They didn't know it, either! And while some of my friends are complete dingdongs that click the sketchy link, quite a few shred their mail and don't list their birthdays on Facebook.
So while this book isn't exactly a fun romp I learned a lot.
If you are interested in Abagnale, you can Google his presentations and watch them, as well.
Highly Recommended.
September 3, 2019
I randomly watched his talk on Google talks(which surprisingly is the most popular on the channel). I liked it so much i was intrigued when i noticed he would soon be publishing a new book. Didn't disappoint. Covers most ways of scams and how to possibly protect yourself. And although its heavily targeted to American audience, most of the scam methods could apply worldwide.
November 7, 2019
Abagnale is famous for the film ‘Catch me if you can’ as it was based on his story. He was a great con man, but decided to help people avoid cons after his jail time. He now works a lot with the AARP. This book shows the many kinds of scams that are out there. I think the most scary one is stolen identity, where a con person took personal details like social security number, address and then make a fake photo ID and completely take over the identity, raking up huge debts by applying for new credit cards in the person’s name. Abagnale said that the only way to prevent this is to freeze the credit report and only to release it when necessary. This may seem extreme but after reading about the stories of the victims in this book you will be convinced. Also:
1. Shred all letters and documents with a micro-shredder so that con people cannot piece together the original with AI software.
2. Freeze you credit report.
3. Don’t post photos with identifiable background on social media. Do not check in places or else burglars will know when you are not at home.
4. Avoid using public WIFI or computers.
5. Do not click on any links from emails.
6. Do not make any investment decisions before 24 hours have passed. Do due diligence. No investment can guarantee any returns.
7. Hang up the phone for robocalls.
8. Do not give out any personal information to strangers. Ask ‘why do you need that information?’ Instead.
9. Check the identify should anyone shows a batch or ID card.
10. Always pay with credit cards because in any frauds you are not liable. Do not use debit cards as your money will be deducted first.
11. Never wire money or buy stored value cards and give the scratch code. They are always frauds.
12. Be careful of relative scams especially if someone says he is your close relative and he is kidnaped/trapped/arrested and need money right now.
13. No government agency will ever ask you to pay first for any tax refund/grants/lottery winning. If you haven’t bought a ticket, you cannot win. Ever.
14. The caller ID number on your phone can be fake. Ask to call them back using a publicly listed number instead.
15. If a pen pal/internet girlfriend or boyfriend can never meet up in person, it is a scam. Always ask to FaceTime anyone who you meet on Tinder etc.
16. Do not install any programs into your computer that is not been researched.
17. Before engaging any Contractors, check whether their company had been blacklisted or been complained about. Do not ever pay any upfront costs for materials. Pay everything only after the work is complete.
18. Use 2 factor verification whenever possible for emails/social media. Do not use easy-to-Guess passwords and do not store them in full on electronic media. Write them on a small piece of paper and lock that up at home. Do not recycle any passwords.
19. Only bring your Medicare the first time you visit your health provider. Otherwise lock it up at home.
So much useful advice! A great book.
1. Shred all letters and documents with a micro-shredder so that con people cannot piece together the original with AI software.
2. Freeze you credit report.
3. Don’t post photos with identifiable background on social media. Do not check in places or else burglars will know when you are not at home.
4. Avoid using public WIFI or computers.
5. Do not click on any links from emails.
6. Do not make any investment decisions before 24 hours have passed. Do due diligence. No investment can guarantee any returns.
7. Hang up the phone for robocalls.
8. Do not give out any personal information to strangers. Ask ‘why do you need that information?’ Instead.
9. Check the identify should anyone shows a batch or ID card.
10. Always pay with credit cards because in any frauds you are not liable. Do not use debit cards as your money will be deducted first.
11. Never wire money or buy stored value cards and give the scratch code. They are always frauds.
12. Be careful of relative scams especially if someone says he is your close relative and he is kidnaped/trapped/arrested and need money right now.
13. No government agency will ever ask you to pay first for any tax refund/grants/lottery winning. If you haven’t bought a ticket, you cannot win. Ever.
14. The caller ID number on your phone can be fake. Ask to call them back using a publicly listed number instead.
15. If a pen pal/internet girlfriend or boyfriend can never meet up in person, it is a scam. Always ask to FaceTime anyone who you meet on Tinder etc.
16. Do not install any programs into your computer that is not been researched.
17. Before engaging any Contractors, check whether their company had been blacklisted or been complained about. Do not ever pay any upfront costs for materials. Pay everything only after the work is complete.
18. Use 2 factor verification whenever possible for emails/social media. Do not use easy-to-Guess passwords and do not store them in full on electronic media. Write them on a small piece of paper and lock that up at home. Do not recycle any passwords.
19. Only bring your Medicare the first time you visit your health provider. Otherwise lock it up at home.
So much useful advice! A great book.
August 20, 2021
Review originally published on January 4, 2020
You may be someone who has always depended on the kindness of strangers. Or you may believe, as Woody Allen so famously wrote, that “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.”
No matter how trusting or how cynical you are, you should be aware of the dangers of modern life and how to protect yourself. The best way to do that is to immediately drop everything and read SCAM ME IF YOU CAN, by Frank Abagnale. Abagnale, about whom the movie CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was written, is a world class expert on ways the bad guys are able to deceive you, take your money, steal your identity, and, quite possibly, ruin your life.
At the age of 15, Abagnale began a life of forged identities and clever ruses to fraudulently present himself as an airline pilot, professor, doctor and lawyer. He was so adept at his machinations that he eluded authorities and detection for 6 years. When he finally was apprehended, the US government recognized that he was someone we definitely want on our side.
Thus began Abagnale’s career working for the good guys, including as an FBI expert on forgery and document theft. He now applies his singular and noteworthy talents to the cause of helping people understand how they can protect themselves and not fall prey to the scam artists who are definitely out in force. This one time notorious con man, check forger and imposter is now an international cyber security consultant. When he speaks to groups, such as at the AAARP sponsored presentation “Stealing Your Life” in Rochester recently, the audience is spellbound.
He briefly covers the story of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. This 2002 movie is an amazing true story. Abagnale, something of a silver fox now, was played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He then easily segues into many of the lessons to be learned in his latest book, SCAM ME IF YOU CAN.
Some of the topics include: how best to deal with robo-calls, the dangers of paying by check, why credit cards may be better than debit cards, what paperwork needs shredding, how NOT to find love online, not sharing too much on social media and why “passwords are an antiquated technology that should be shelved once and for all.”
Maybe “Trust but verify” is the best advice. Trust this advice: Watch CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, and definitely read SCAM ME IF YOU CAN. The money and identity you save could be your own.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
You may be someone who has always depended on the kindness of strangers. Or you may believe, as Woody Allen so famously wrote, that “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.”
No matter how trusting or how cynical you are, you should be aware of the dangers of modern life and how to protect yourself. The best way to do that is to immediately drop everything and read SCAM ME IF YOU CAN, by Frank Abagnale. Abagnale, about whom the movie CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was written, is a world class expert on ways the bad guys are able to deceive you, take your money, steal your identity, and, quite possibly, ruin your life.
At the age of 15, Abagnale began a life of forged identities and clever ruses to fraudulently present himself as an airline pilot, professor, doctor and lawyer. He was so adept at his machinations that he eluded authorities and detection for 6 years. When he finally was apprehended, the US government recognized that he was someone we definitely want on our side.
Thus began Abagnale’s career working for the good guys, including as an FBI expert on forgery and document theft. He now applies his singular and noteworthy talents to the cause of helping people understand how they can protect themselves and not fall prey to the scam artists who are definitely out in force. This one time notorious con man, check forger and imposter is now an international cyber security consultant. When he speaks to groups, such as at the AAARP sponsored presentation “Stealing Your Life” in Rochester recently, the audience is spellbound.
He briefly covers the story of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. This 2002 movie is an amazing true story. Abagnale, something of a silver fox now, was played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He then easily segues into many of the lessons to be learned in his latest book, SCAM ME IF YOU CAN.
Some of the topics include: how best to deal with robo-calls, the dangers of paying by check, why credit cards may be better than debit cards, what paperwork needs shredding, how NOT to find love online, not sharing too much on social media and why “passwords are an antiquated technology that should be shelved once and for all.”
Maybe “Trust but verify” is the best advice. Trust this advice: Watch CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, and definitely read SCAM ME IF YOU CAN. The money and identity you save could be your own.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
November 10, 2019
I attended a conference some years ago where Frank Abagnale was the guest speaker. This was long before he branched out as an expert on all types of scams. I was impressed with the old crook. “Scam Me If You Can,” is his new book aimed at modern day scammers (whom I consider low-lives and despicable human beings). Abagnale gives the low down on avoiding these people. The best advice he gives is to not fall for the blarney and to quickly end all conversation.
In Scam Me he touches on most of the modern day scams. When looking at his reporting, one has to wonder how anyone could be dumb enough to fall for any of it. But they do, and I have even been the victim a couple of times. Dumb me. But I have gotten positively rude in my old age and the scam calls seem to have slowed down. No one wants to talk to an old grouch.
Abagnale’s book is simplistic in its message. It’s not complicated to see what the scammers try to do. Basically they prey on our greed. Something for nothing is alluring even though we all know there is no such thing. But the siren song never goes away, nor does it get fainter in our ears. Reading his warnings is a good reminder that we must turn away from self-satisfying behavior. His admonitions are carefully arranged and thoroughly cataloged. Although his words are somewhat repetitious, it is, nonetheless, a necessary method of pounding the message into our thick skulls to try to put an end to the nonsense.
If you are fed up with these incursions into your life, as I am, pay attention, get smart, and put the scammers in their place, somewhere far away from you and your wallet. Getting them away from your computer or phone is no easy task, but constant checking for illegal usage by unknown privateers is absolutely necessary to protect yourself. Reading Abagnale’s book is a good way to become more aware of the dangers out there and how to handle them.
Read
October 6, 2019When you get down to it, Abagnale provides a lot of useful information and advice for U.S. citizens of all ages. To be honest, I read this book half because I'm a fan of Spielberg's "Catch Me if You Can" movie adapation of Abagnale's criminal past and half because I have never read a book endorsed by the AARP. There is a lot of common sense advice, but it is nice to have it repeated on paper when I know I don't know if I would see past the 'ether' of a smooth con man. Everyone can be scammed and it is more of a matter of when then if, if you are not aware of what is out there in terms of common scam tactics.
Oh, and people who scam the elderly are garbage people who I hope have enough of an idea of what a conscience is just so they know they are scum.
Also, the expert advice from a Simson Garfinkel kept slipping me up. He honestly needs to change his name altogether or embrace it and take the small step toward being Simon Garfunkel.
Oh, and people who scam the elderly are garbage people who I hope have enough of an idea of what a conscience is just so they know they are scum.
Also, the expert advice from a Simson Garfinkel kept slipping me up. He honestly needs to change his name altogether or embrace it and take the small step toward being Simon Garfunkel.
November 12, 2019
Very common sense based book. I do not feel like I learned much new. Basically the advice is to be vigilant with your data and money. Do not disclose private information to not well-known people and use a credit card. Mostly do not give money to anyone you have not checked enough and decided to give to out of your own volition. Check your payment transactions regularly. All of this in 320 pages!
I am a bit disappointed and I guess I got "scammed" into buying and reading the whole book, expecting there would be something more to it.
I am a bit disappointed and I guess I got "scammed" into buying and reading the whole book, expecting there would be something more to it.
October 8, 2019
Not a good book if you:
1. Have a lot of common sense
2. Are tech savvy
3. Don't live in the US (way too US centric)
1. Have a lot of common sense
2. Are tech savvy
3. Don't live in the US (way too US centric)
November 27, 2019
Overall, a good read. I did well on the test early in the book, so a lot of the book reinforced what I already knew or suspected. Yet I still learned a few things and found the stories he interspersed throughout very engaging. The covered topics are very broad--including identity theft, investments, nuisance robocalls, dating sites, charities, Go Fund Me accounts, traveling, and more--so most people will find this book useful for making themselves less of a target.
The only part I have trouble with is his recommendation to use a credit card over a debit card. Our debit card is backed by Visa and carries the same protections against fraud as the credit card we used to carry offered. Furthermore, when I've had a debit card compromised, as soon as I contacted our bank, they immediately added the funds back to our account while they investigated.
Some of his recommendations feel . . . extreme. But then again, his suggestions come from deeply knowing the world of conmen and scammers. Will I immediately enact everything within the book? Of course not. However, I do take his opinion seriously and recognize that the threat is real. As such, I will do better today than I've done before and will continue to be vigilant about protecting my information in the future.
The only part I have trouble with is his recommendation to use a credit card over a debit card. Our debit card is backed by Visa and carries the same protections against fraud as the credit card we used to carry offered. Furthermore, when I've had a debit card compromised, as soon as I contacted our bank, they immediately added the funds back to our account while they investigated.
Some of his recommendations feel . . . extreme. But then again, his suggestions come from deeply knowing the world of conmen and scammers. Will I immediately enact everything within the book? Of course not. However, I do take his opinion seriously and recognize that the threat is real. As such, I will do better today than I've done before and will continue to be vigilant about protecting my information in the future.
November 15, 2019
This is an excellent book. There are nuggets of information I didn't know, even though I was familiar with a lot of the phone call fraud and phishing scams. The most helpful section was the resources in the back for checking charities, getting on do not call lists, etc. Highly recommend for everyone, especially those who struggle with understanding the danger of computers and phone scams in particular.
May 14, 2021
Excellent information! I'm sure I stuck with it because I listened to the audio.
April 7, 2025
I can't fault this book, as it's what it says on the tin. I guess it just turns out if you've paid any attention to scam prevention techniques at all, there isn't much here that's new or particularly insightful.
November 2, 2023
The explosion in cyber scams is making it easier to be conned out of ever larger sums of money as the criminals can use technology to target large numbers of potential victims.
Frank Abagnale writes clear guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim and minimise risk with the end goal of protecting your money and your identity.
Frank Abagnale writes clear guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim and minimise risk with the end goal of protecting your money and your identity.
October 11, 2019
The key to protecting yourself is by knowing what to watch for and what to do.
January 18, 2022
“This is a no brainer! Just setup complex passwords, install anti-virus protection on your computers and tell everybody to fuck off!” This was my mindset going into this book which I wasn’t really interested in reading. Then remembering the ingenuity and the gigantic pair of balls Frank Abagnale possessed while pulling off insane scams in his hilarious memoir “Catch Me If You Can,” I decided to give this book a read hoping to be a least entertained while he preached redundant anecdotes; BOY WAS I IN FOR A SHOCK!
Starting with the thesis that modern IT solutions/security makes it EASIER for scams to be perpetrated on unsuspecting victims, he then lays down case study after case study of ingenious scams that robbed millions of people of their money, home and dignity because of the thousands of successful IT hacks that happen on a regular basis around the globe. Most worrisome was the topic of identity theft (especially amongst children) and how these poor souls have to live a life of constantly checking in the government just to prove they are legit. With everybody rushing to post their most flattering face portraits of themselves and their family on the “socials,” creative scammers are now using these hi-def facial pics to bypass biometric security protocols and create fake government ID; THERE’S NO ESCAPE!
Besides explaining a host of scams that I never heard of, Abagnale also gives great insight into the mindset of a scammer and what will motivate them to exploit other vulnerabilities in the near future. What really knocked me over was Abagnale’s stance that passwords don’t work and tech-savvy companies/people need to move forward from this outdated/useless form of protection. I’m not gonna give away the lead, but his passionate promotion of the security company Trusona and their unique approach to online security really has me intrigued enough to research, adopt and invest into this company/technology.
Starting with the thesis that modern IT solutions/security makes it EASIER for scams to be perpetrated on unsuspecting victims, he then lays down case study after case study of ingenious scams that robbed millions of people of their money, home and dignity because of the thousands of successful IT hacks that happen on a regular basis around the globe. Most worrisome was the topic of identity theft (especially amongst children) and how these poor souls have to live a life of constantly checking in the government just to prove they are legit. With everybody rushing to post their most flattering face portraits of themselves and their family on the “socials,” creative scammers are now using these hi-def facial pics to bypass biometric security protocols and create fake government ID; THERE’S NO ESCAPE!
Besides explaining a host of scams that I never heard of, Abagnale also gives great insight into the mindset of a scammer and what will motivate them to exploit other vulnerabilities in the near future. What really knocked me over was Abagnale’s stance that passwords don’t work and tech-savvy companies/people need to move forward from this outdated/useless form of protection. I’m not gonna give away the lead, but his passionate promotion of the security company Trusona and their unique approach to online security really has me intrigued enough to research, adopt and invest into this company/technology.
July 16, 2024
This reader doesn't read horror, but this book scared me (in a good way). The scary part was all the ways a person can be vulnerable to scams, and they are outlined by a man who used to perpetrate scams on others. Now, he works for the other side and wants to help people avoid getting caught by scammers.
Read as a book group read through the library, it's a book that everyone should get for themselves (including a copy for myself). Already, I have gained benefit from it.
He has others and they will be read as well.
Read as a book group read through the library, it's a book that everyone should get for themselves (including a copy for myself). Already, I have gained benefit from it.
He has others and they will be read as well.
August 19, 2020
You will not find a more informed expert on the minds of con artists. As noted in the book, the technology behind fraud and deception is constantly changing, but the psychology does not. This book is a helpful overview of several basic principles that can keep you safe. I'll certainly recommend it to friends and family.
March 4, 2021
Lots of good information on how to protect yourself from scams and hackers. Criminals spend a lot of time and effort trying to steal from people. Basically it seems to come down to trusting your instincts and doing the research when making any financial decisions. Passwords are archaic. Biometrics is best.
March 1, 2021
Required reading if you never want to get scammed!
July 7, 2020
I lot of review material but still interesting on how to guard against scammers
November 15, 2019
فرانك أبيجيل .. أحد أشهر نصابين أمريكا , عمل لاحقاً في الاف بي آي و مثلت سيرته في فلم
Catch me if you can
الكتاب فيه معلومات و نصائح ولكني أجدها بسيطة و أعرفها معظمها و أظن أي قاريء سيعرف معظم المعلومات
Catch me if you can
الكتاب فيه معلومات و نصائح ولكني أجدها بسيطة و أعرفها معظمها و أظن أي قاريء سيعرف معظم المعلومات
November 1, 2019
King Solomon observed 3,000 years ago that "there is nothing new under the sun." In Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Rip-off Artists, former con man Frank Abagnale does not offer that much that is radically new. But this is a critical book nonetheless, in that it contains a significant amount of advice in one place that must be considered, so one doesn't get scammed.
The booked is co-published by AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) and is a title that should be read by anyone who is a grandparent or of the equivalent age. This is because many of the scams detailed are focused mainly on the elderly, who are often more trusting and less suspicious. Those two traits make them especially vulnerable to scammers. Truth be told, the book is valuable for those of any age.
The book is part of AARP's efforts to educate and arm readers of every age about as many scam techniques and prevention strategies as possible. To that, Abagnale details several classic scams that have been redone for the age of the Internet.
Abagnale writes that every scam has a few red flags: that the scammer will ask for your personal information, a bank account number or to send them money. Once they start asking for that, the potential victim must stop, or be prepared to be an actual victim.
It's strangers who reach out to people to scam them. An important point the book makes is that you don't owe anything to a stranger. That includes information, consent or anything else. These scammers attempt to use authority to make the recipient feel like they owe them something.
Those who take this advice alone can save themselves significant heartache.
Abagnale provides sound advice on dealing with robocalls. This is important given that the National Do Not Call Registry is useless against scammers. The telco providers have no incentive to stop these calls, as they make money off these hundreds of billions of calls. That makes the advice in the book even more compelling.
For those who have heard him speak, Abagnale is a great storyteller. He shows that he can also tell a good story in the printed word. The book is filled with practical advice and actionable guidance. This is not a technical book but is an easy to read guide meant for the average user who struggles to deal with the myriad security and privacy issues involved with merely turning on their computer and answering the phone. Neither of these is a trivial issue anymore.
Abagnale echoes the observation of King Solomon in that things have not changed that much. It's just that these scams have gotten much easier since technology breeds crime.
In the book, Abagnale recounts the stories of countless victims. By reading Scam Me If You Can, you can ensure you only have to read about scam victims, and not be one.
The booked is co-published by AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) and is a title that should be read by anyone who is a grandparent or of the equivalent age. This is because many of the scams detailed are focused mainly on the elderly, who are often more trusting and less suspicious. Those two traits make them especially vulnerable to scammers. Truth be told, the book is valuable for those of any age.
The book is part of AARP's efforts to educate and arm readers of every age about as many scam techniques and prevention strategies as possible. To that, Abagnale details several classic scams that have been redone for the age of the Internet.
Abagnale writes that every scam has a few red flags: that the scammer will ask for your personal information, a bank account number or to send them money. Once they start asking for that, the potential victim must stop, or be prepared to be an actual victim.
It's strangers who reach out to people to scam them. An important point the book makes is that you don't owe anything to a stranger. That includes information, consent or anything else. These scammers attempt to use authority to make the recipient feel like they owe them something.
Those who take this advice alone can save themselves significant heartache.
Abagnale provides sound advice on dealing with robocalls. This is important given that the National Do Not Call Registry is useless against scammers. The telco providers have no incentive to stop these calls, as they make money off these hundreds of billions of calls. That makes the advice in the book even more compelling.
For those who have heard him speak, Abagnale is a great storyteller. He shows that he can also tell a good story in the printed word. The book is filled with practical advice and actionable guidance. This is not a technical book but is an easy to read guide meant for the average user who struggles to deal with the myriad security and privacy issues involved with merely turning on their computer and answering the phone. Neither of these is a trivial issue anymore.
Abagnale echoes the observation of King Solomon in that things have not changed that much. It's just that these scams have gotten much easier since technology breeds crime.
In the book, Abagnale recounts the stories of countless victims. By reading Scam Me If You Can, you can ensure you only have to read about scam victims, and not be one.
January 1, 2020
I have been a fan of the tactics suggested by Frank W. Abagnale, ever since I researched the source of the movie--Catch Me if You Can-- which primarily made me cautious with my bank accounts and helped me pay very close attention to how money moves in and out of my accounts.
This book is a followup to those tactics but updated to how to monitor our information electronically over any transactions we do on the internet. Hackers and scammers are getting very adroit about finding ways to get our information and we consumers need to be diligent in how we put information out on the internet. One key thing he mentions in this book is how stolen information gets re-sold and used by these individuals even after we have gone through all the necessary steps to hinder access and eventually the information gets to the Dark Web, which is a hidden version of the internet, that hackers and scammers use. The funny thing the Dark Web was created as a means for US spies to communicate undetected and now it is the world of the hackers. I have always said that hacking should be a necessary part of learning how to code for the computer, to make us more knowledgeable about our input effect on the internet. The problem with technology is that it is constantly changing daily. In my household, we have 2 computers, one Windows and one Mac, plus 2 smartphones, 2 video game consoles, and 2 SmartTVs all of which access the internet. We do have a dedicated WiFi for the household with a specific password that has to be signed on to each internet-connected product. My son thinks I am a little obsessive with blocking cookies to avoid unneeded viruses, but my computer, the Mac, has had no problem, plus I have a virus scan program on it specific to and approved by Apple. I even have a protection app on my phone. Now the carriers need to take care of the scam calls without cost to us consumers, not the half-offer of a modified "free" app which doesn't do anything to fully identify the caller as a real number or a VoIP number.
This book is a followup to those tactics but updated to how to monitor our information electronically over any transactions we do on the internet. Hackers and scammers are getting very adroit about finding ways to get our information and we consumers need to be diligent in how we put information out on the internet. One key thing he mentions in this book is how stolen information gets re-sold and used by these individuals even after we have gone through all the necessary steps to hinder access and eventually the information gets to the Dark Web, which is a hidden version of the internet, that hackers and scammers use. The funny thing the Dark Web was created as a means for US spies to communicate undetected and now it is the world of the hackers. I have always said that hacking should be a necessary part of learning how to code for the computer, to make us more knowledgeable about our input effect on the internet. The problem with technology is that it is constantly changing daily. In my household, we have 2 computers, one Windows and one Mac, plus 2 smartphones, 2 video game consoles, and 2 SmartTVs all of which access the internet. We do have a dedicated WiFi for the household with a specific password that has to be signed on to each internet-connected product. My son thinks I am a little obsessive with blocking cookies to avoid unneeded viruses, but my computer, the Mac, has had no problem, plus I have a virus scan program on it specific to and approved by Apple. I even have a protection app on my phone. Now the carriers need to take care of the scam calls without cost to us consumers, not the half-offer of a modified "free" app which doesn't do anything to fully identify the caller as a real number or a VoIP number.
October 15, 2019
I was somewhat disappointed by this book. It is a comprehensive review of the many types of fraud that can be used against us as individuals, and Abagnale may be the single best individual in our times to represent these scams.
Though it is comprehensive, the bulk of the book addresses scams that we have all already heard about, probably on numerous occasions. The book includes protective recommendations to help prevent being sucked in by each of the scams, but most of these reek of common sense. For people who retain the book, and end up getting sucked in by a scam nonetheless, some of the sections do contain detailed steps to take to try to correct or limit the damage.
One curious aspect of the book is its currency. There are chapters that reference government reports from early 2019, which is very current. At the same time, one of the early chapters references the security of Windows XP, which felt so out-of-date to me as I read it that I considered not bothering to read further.
The largest value presented by the book is that it provides the reader with such a sense of scale and diversity for fraud that it will almost certainly make the reader more skeptical about 'good fortune' that arrives.
Though it is comprehensive, the bulk of the book addresses scams that we have all already heard about, probably on numerous occasions. The book includes protective recommendations to help prevent being sucked in by each of the scams, but most of these reek of common sense. For people who retain the book, and end up getting sucked in by a scam nonetheless, some of the sections do contain detailed steps to take to try to correct or limit the damage.
One curious aspect of the book is its currency. There are chapters that reference government reports from early 2019, which is very current. At the same time, one of the early chapters references the security of Windows XP, which felt so out-of-date to me as I read it that I considered not bothering to read further.
The largest value presented by the book is that it provides the reader with such a sense of scale and diversity for fraud that it will almost certainly make the reader more skeptical about 'good fortune' that arrives.
October 26, 2019
It is amazing all the ways a co artist will try to part you from your money. All the old sayings apply. "there is no free lunch" Buyer Beware, There's a sucker born" You get the idea. Half of all the calls one recieves is someone trying to scam you or get your information to scam you, That nice guy at church, that goofy looking guy that knocked on your door and that phony website you just visited all are looking for a piece of your pie. I enjoyed reading this book I was aware of most of the information but enjoyed the refresher.
May 30, 2020
This is a real eye opener, and the first thing I did when I finished the book was to set up two step verification on as many accounts as I could. Unfortunately not all businesses are set up for two step verification. I did not know that thieves learn your passwords by hacking into accounts. I just thought if I had a complicated password I was safe and to top it off I was one of these people that used the same complicated password for different accounts. I think everyone needs this book as a reference book, something to refer to from time to time to stay out of trouble.
December 26, 2019
Abagnale, a scammer-turned-FBI consultant, warns the reader that anyone can be scammed, and college-educated or elderly people are especially vulnerable. Scammers use emotional tactics to overwhelm doubt and good judgment and pressure a person to act quickly.
What's most disturbing is how much information we freely make available through social media and online accounts, and how insecure and unreliable passwords are.
What's most disturbing is how much information we freely make available through social media and online accounts, and how insecure and unreliable passwords are.
May 11, 2020
I got about 25% into this book and sent it out as a strong recommendation to read to all employees in our school district. (I'm the Tech Guy.) This book is easy to read with engaging examples. Some situations don't necessarily apply to everyone, but most do, and Abagnale's recommendations through the book are consistent and repetitive, which is important for getting folks to take action. I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to keep themselves safe from scammers.
February 28, 2021
Helpful book for familiarizing yourself with common scam tactics that apply to your average person. I prefer this book to Kevin Mitnick’s The Art of Deception because the scam/social engineering tactics listed in this book apply to pretty much everyone whereas The Art of Deception focuses more on cons against corporations/businesses. My first choice on books to help prevent against identity theft and related schemes, however, is Privacy for Profit by John Sileo. It’s a very thorough book without any fluff and the information is very relevant to the average person. I also didn’t appreciate he author’s misinformation about password practice and sales pitch for his Trusona app, which is basically unusable for most people as there are no services I could identify that I could even use to authenticate my identity with it. His opinion that passwords are not a good method for authentication is common knowledge among security professionals but his advice to not change passwords often, not use complex passwords, and not use password managers (but still use a unique password for every site!) goes against the advice of most security professionals and institutions. Among his erroneous cyber security claims, he states that by browsing the internet in “private” or “incognito” mode that your web activity can no longer be tracked, which is laughable. He is knowledgable about many scams but he does a disservice to his readers when he continues to speak with authority on cyber security issues where he is out of his depth.
April 4, 2020
A GOOD BIT FRIGHTENING.
“Every year, millions of American consumers—nearly 7 percent of the population—are victims of scams and fraud. Criminals everywhere, from people in your own community to international rings, are looking for opportunities to take advantage of you.” (p. 6)
While I recognize that the primary focus of Frank Abagnale’s book, Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Ripoff Artists is to arm its readers with the tools they need to protect themselves from frauds and scams; reading it can also be overwhelmingly scary. There are so many scams and so many clever scammers—very adept “…in the techniques to get targets “under the ether.” (p. 24)—as to almost lend an air of futility to the chances of defending oneself.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed: and your efforts to read and learn as much as you can to protect yourself will, hopefully be rewarded. Abagnale is an old pro at the confidence game and offers much in the way of insider insights.
Recommendation: There’s no way to be over prepared to protect what’s yours; and reading this book will mostly help in that regard.
“…knowing what to watch for and what to do—the core of this book—is the key to protecting yourself.” (p. 305).
Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 338 pages
“Every year, millions of American consumers—nearly 7 percent of the population—are victims of scams and fraud. Criminals everywhere, from people in your own community to international rings, are looking for opportunities to take advantage of you.” (p. 6)
While I recognize that the primary focus of Frank Abagnale’s book, Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Ripoff Artists is to arm its readers with the tools they need to protect themselves from frauds and scams; reading it can also be overwhelmingly scary. There are so many scams and so many clever scammers—very adept “…in the techniques to get targets “under the ether.” (p. 24)—as to almost lend an air of futility to the chances of defending oneself.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed: and your efforts to read and learn as much as you can to protect yourself will, hopefully be rewarded. Abagnale is an old pro at the confidence game and offers much in the way of insider insights.
Recommendation: There’s no way to be over prepared to protect what’s yours; and reading this book will mostly help in that regard.
“…knowing what to watch for and what to do—the core of this book—is the key to protecting yourself.” (p. 305).
Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 338 pages
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