This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version. Being aware of the criminals who are out to take your money is not enough. A scam by any other name is still a scam, and unfortunately, there are some scams that are perfectly legal that can cause you to lose money. Or perhaps they are imperfectly legal, but at this point in time, the law may not be on your side. A good example of a legal scam is what credit card companies can do legally in many instances. Read these essential truths to gain the knowledge that can protect your wallet.

This Element is an excerpt from The Truth About Avoiding Scams (9780132333856) by Steve Weisman. Available in print and digital formats. Don’t be the easiest victim! Simple, practical ways to significantly reduce the chances that you’ll be scammed. There are things that you can do to lessen your chances of becoming a victim. Some are simple. Some require a little work. Many people are lazy and don’t want to take these steps. They’re the easiest victims. So, first, do you really want to receive those unsolicited offers of credit cards and insurance that provide opportunities for identity thieves....

Are you at risk of being scammed? Former con artist and bestselling author of Catch Me If You Can Frank Abagnale shows you how to stop scammers in their tracks. Maybe you're wondering how to make the scam phone calls stop. Perhaps someone has stolen your credit card number. Or you've been a victim of identity theft. Even if you haven't yet been the target of a crime, con artists are always out there, waiting for the right moment to steal your information, your money, and your life. As one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of fraud, forgery, and cyber security, Frank Abagnale knows how scammers work. In Scam Me If You Can, he reveals the 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 hundreds of tips, including: • The best way to protect your phone from being hacked • The only time you should ever use a debit card • The one type of photo you should never post on social media • The only conditions under which you should use WiFi networks at the airport • The safest way to use an ATM With his simple but counterintuitive rules, Abagnale also makes use of his insider intel to paint a picture of cybercrimes that haven't become widespread yet.

This Element is an excerpt from The Truth About Avoiding Scams (9780132333856) by Steve Weisman. Available in print and digital formats. What you must know about Internet scams: from phishing and Trojan horses to fake death threats! After installed on your computer, Trojan horses monitor all activity and transmit that information back to the scammer, who uses it to access your bank accounts, credit cards, brokerage accounts, or other online business. This information can even be used to establish credit in your name that the scammer will use without paying. To combat this threat...

This Element is an excerpt from The Truth About Avoiding Scams (9780132333856) by Steve Weisman. Available in print and digital formats. Don’t let employment scammers and fake work-at-home schemes con you out of your hard-earned money! Like many cons, this one appeals to us on many levels. You get to work at home. The work is easy. Your time is your own. Best of all, you make lots of money. One of the most common types is a work-at-home scheme where you merely stuff envelopes. Just what are you stuffing into those envelopes? The truth is...

This Element is an excerpt from The Truth About Avoiding Scams (9780132333856) by Steve Weisman. Available in print and digital formats. How to recognize telephone scams, prevent them, and stop them if you’re already being victimized. Cramming is the term for unauthorized charges that appear on your telephone bill. These charges may be a one-time ripoff, or they may turn into a regular monthly dip into your wallet. Some key phrases to look for in your telephone bill to determine if you are being crammed are....