"If this book prevents you from falling for even one scam, it’s worth the cost."

--Arizona Republic

"A fascinating look into the many types of business fraud."

--Kansas City Star

The world-famous former con artist and bestselling author of Catch Me If You Can reveals the ingenious tricks of the scam trade--with advice that has made him one of America’s most sought-after fraud-prevention experts.

In his celebrated Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale recounted his youthful career as a master impostor and forger. In The Art of the Steal, he tells the remarkable story of how he parlayed his knowledge of cons and scams into a career as an internationally renowned consultant on preventing financial foul play--while showing readers how they can identify and outsmart perpetrators of fraud. Addressing today’s rampant rip-offs--at home, at work, online, or while banking, traveling, shopping, or just talking on the phone--The Art of the Steal exposes the costly cunning behind both high-tech and age-old crimes, giving readers, from consumers to business owners, tips on how to:

·PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT

·CREATE FORGE-PROOF DOCUMENTS AND SPOT PHONY ONES IMMEDIATELY

·AVOID INFORMATION EMBEZZLEMENT

·PREVENT PRODUCTS FROM BEING COUNTERFEITED

·SAFELY USE ACCESS, CREDIT, DEBIT, AND ATM CARDS

·SPOT AND SIDESTEP INGENIOUS FOUL PLAY ON THE STREETS

A revealing look inside the predatory criminal mind from a past master of the con, The Art of the Steal is the ultimate defense against even the craftiest crook.

PROLOGUE

 What Did She Want?

CHAPTER ONE

 Putting Down a Positive Con

CHAPTER TWO

 Looking for Mr. Goodcheck

CHAPTER THREE

 Counterfeit Capers

CHAPTER FOUR

 The Thief at the Next Desk

CHAPTER FIVE

 The Rock in the Box and the Mustard Squirter

CHAPTER SIX

 Card Games

CHAPTER SEVEN

 Beating the Machine

CHAPTER EIGHT

 The Cyberthief

CHAPTER NINE

 When the Label Lies

CHAPTER TEN

 Empty Promises

CHAPTER ELEVEN

 Stealing Your Soul

APPENDIX

 Fraud Resources

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS