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The Art of the Steal: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Fraud, America's #1 Crime Audiobook
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(3.07) - 301 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The world--famous former con artist and bestselling author of Catch Me if You Can now reveals the mind--boggling tricks of the scam trade--with advice that has made him one of America's most sought--after fraud--prevention experts.
"I had as much knowledge as any man alive concerning the mechanics of forgery, check swindling, counterfeiting, and other similar crimes. Ever since I'd been released from prison, I'd often felt that if I directed this knowledge into the right channels, I could help people a great deal. Every time I went to the store and wrote a check, I would see two or three mistakes made on the part of the clerk or cashier, mistakes that a flimflam artist would take advantage of. . . . In a certain sense, I'm still a con artist. I'm just putting down a positive con these days, as opposed to the negative con I used in the past. I've merely redirected the talents I've always possessed. I've applied the same relentless attention to working on stopping fraud that I once applied to perpetuating fraud."
In Catch Me if You Can, Frank W. Abagnale recounted his youthful career as a master imposter and forger. In The Art of the Steal, Abagnale tells the remarkable story of how he parlayed his knowledge of cons and scams into a successful career as a consultant on preventing financial foul play--while showing you how to identify and outsmart perpetrators of fraud.
Technology may have made it easier to track down criminals, but cyberspace has spawned a skyrocketing number of ways to commit crime--much of it untraceable. Businesses are estimated to lose an unprecedented $400 billion a year from fraud of one sort or another. If we were able to do away with fraud for just two years, we'd erase the national debt and pay Social Security for the next one hundred years. However, Abagnale has discovered that punishment for committing fraud, much less recovery of stolen funds, seldom happens: Once you're a victim, you won't get your money back. Prevention is the best form of protection.
Drawn from his twenty-five years of experience as an ingenious con artist (whose check scams alone mounted to more than $2 million in stolen funds), Abagnale's The Art of the Steal provides eye-opening stories of true scams, with tips on how they can be prevented. Abagnale takes you deep inside the world and mind of the con artist, showing you just how he pulled off his scams and what you can do to avoid becoming the next victim. You'll hear the stories of notorious swindles, like the mustard squirter trick and the "rock in the box" ploy, and meet the criminals like the famous Vickers Gang who perpetrated them. You'll find out why crooks wash checks and iron credit cards and why a thief brings glue with him to the ATM. And finally, you'll learn how to recognize a bogus check or a counterfeit bill, and why you shouldn't write your grocery list on a deposit slip.
A revealing look inside the predatory criminal mind from a former master of the con, The Art of the Steal is the ultimate defense against even the craftiest crook.
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"While originally published in 2001, this book still offers a lot of information that is still pertinent today. When finished you'll want to check your credit score and make sure that you never leave your personal information vulerable again. I wish this book was updated yearly as that is how fast technology, etc. changes, but there is still plenty here that make this book worth readin"
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
The Art of the Steal Listener Reviews
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" Such a fun read. Absolutely fascinating. "
— Charles, 2/16/2014 -
" He comes across as cocky. "
— James, 2/15/2014 -
" Someone is a bit too impressed with himself.... "
— Mara, 2/1/2014 -
" This is a sequel to "Catch Me If You Can". The "bad guy" in "Catch Me If You Can" tells all about how scammers perform their various scams and how not to get fooled. "
— Craig, 1/28/2014 -
" So awesome....it's written by the guy (Frank Abagnale) in the movie 'Catch me if you can'. It's the real stuff behind what he did and how. "
— Megan, 1/23/2014 -
" This book starts where the movie "Catch Me If You Can" ends. Frank Abagnale reveals interesting information about fraud. You may be hesitant about revealing information about yourself after reading this book! "
— Lisa, 1/14/2014 -
" Some outdated info but pretty good book. "
— Jonathan, 10/1/2013 -
" Extremely educational and interesting book. A must-read for anyone interested or concerned about identity theft, fraud, counterfeiting, etc. "
— Mr., 9/28/2013 -
" I don't think I've read anything more scary! If you read this book you'll never write a check, purchase anything online, or throw anything away again. "
— Dave, 7/7/2013 -
" A bit dated now, but still an instructive guide for protecting yourself from fraud. As always, human beings are the weak link in the security chain. "
— Jessica, 1/15/2013 -
" Good info, but more geared towards protecting businesses from fraud than personal accounts from fraud. Worth the read. "
— Pam, 10/3/2012 -
" Frank Abagnale is questionably the greatest con man on the planet. He points out how we leave ourselves open to deception. Certainly worth reading. "
— Janette, 8/14/2012 -
" Slightly dated, but full of good advice about avoiding identity theft. "
— Amy, 7/7/2012 -
" Made me want to be a criminal so bad. Just gives examples of how to steal, it's great "
— John, 2/17/2012 -
" This book was an eye opener. A good read for anyone wanting to understand how a fraud can be detected. Well written. "
— Bill, 1/10/2012 -
" a bit dated but an entertaining read. "
— Uwe, 12/27/2011 -
" Fantastic sequel to "Catch me if you can" Great information on how to protect yourself, your family and your money. "
— Andrew, 12/10/2011 -
" Really enjoyable -- but what I love most about this book is how hard Frank Abagnale tries to stifle his enthusiasm and excitement about the various techniques he reveals. You can almost feel him gritting his teeth, writing about all the things these "terrible criminals" do. "
— Walden, 8/17/2011 -
" This is a much better book than Catch Me if You Can. It simply presents the information clearly and includes some interesting stories along the way. I wish Mr. Abagnale had written the other book instead of his co-writer. "
— Spencer, 7/12/2011 -
" a bit dated but an entertaining read. "
— Uwe, 3/10/2011 -
" Extremely educational and interesting book. A must-read for anyone interested or concerned about identity theft, fraud, counterfeiting, etc. "
— Mr., 12/28/2010 -
" Good info, but more geared towards protecting businesses from fraud than personal accounts from fraud. Worth the read. "
— Pam, 11/18/2010 -
" This book starts where the movie "Catch Me If You Can" ends. Frank Abagnale reveals interesting information about fraud. You may be hesitant about revealing information about yourself after reading this book! "
— Lisa, 6/30/2010 -
" Some interesting step-by-step description, but lacks the narrative zing of Catch Me If You Can. "
— Spencer, 1/28/2010 -
" This is a sequel to "Catch Me If You Can". The "bad guy" in "Catch Me If You Can" tells all about how scammers perform their various scams and how not to get fooled. "
— Craig, 1/3/2010 -
" Frank Abagnale is questionably the greatest con man on the planet. He points out how we leave ourselves open to deception. Certainly worth reading. "
— Janette, 10/19/2008 -
" Abagnale is a GOOD writer! <br/> <br/>And lots of good and interesting stories and advice! "
— Allanna, 5/29/2008 -
" So awesome....it's written by the guy (Frank Abagnale) in the movie 'Catch me if you can'. It's the real stuff behind what he did and how. "
— Megan, 1/23/2008 -
" Fantastic sequel to "Catch me if you can" Great information on how to protect yourself, your family and your money. "
— Andrew, 1/20/2008
About Frank W. Abagnale
Frank W. Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams, and Robert Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters, and escape artists in history. In his brief but notorious criminal career, Abagnale donned a pilot’s uniform and copiloted a Pan Am jet, masqueraded as the supervising resident of a hospital, practiced law without a license, passed himself off as a college sociology professor, and cashed over $2.5 million in forged checks, all before he was twenty-one. Known by the police of twenty-six foreign countries and all fifty states as “the Skywayman,” Abagnale lived a sumptuous life on the lam—until the law caught up with him. Now he is recognized as the nation’s leading authority on financial foul play.
About Barrett Whitener
Barrett Whitener has been narrating audiobooks since 1992. His recordings have won several awards, including the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphones Awards. AudioFile magazine has named him one of the Best Voices of the Century.