Description

Book Synopsis

A practical guide to avoiding the most common scams, from a fraud-fighting expert

U.S. consumers lose billions of dollars each year to scam artistsand the next victim could be you. While anyone can be targeted, many victims are older. In AARP''s Outsmarting the Scam Artists, renowned fraud-fighter Doug Shadel offers practical advice for consumers who want to protect their money as well as the financial assets of their parents and families.

Despite the rise of scams, many people are embarrassed to admit they''ve been victimized. The author helps break the cycle of shame by including accounts from the people who''ve been scammed as well as tips from a surprising source: convicted con artists who reveal how they''ve defrauded people like you.

  • Get practical tips to combat all kinds of scams, from simple lottery tickets to non-existent oil and gas deals and religious ponzi schemes
  • Learn how to protect yourself by securing your mailbox and

    Table of Contents

    Acknowledgments ix

    Preface xi

    Part I The Scam Artists’ Playbook

    Chapter 1 Inside the Con Artist’s Mind 3

    Chapter 2 Ether: The Con Artist’s Central Strategy 19

    Chapter 3 The Stages of Fraud 29

    Part II Con Artists in Action

    Chapter 4 Exploiting Ego: The Oil-and-Gas Scam 49

    Chapter 5 Exploiting Faith: The Religious Ponzi Scam 63

    Chapter 6 Exploiting Fear: The Gold Coin Scam 77

    Chapter 7 Exploiting Boredom: The Movie Scam 85

    Chapter 8 Exploiting the American Dream: The Business Opportunity Scam 93

    Chapter 9 Exploiting Hope: The Lottery Scam 107

    Chapter 10 Exploiting Credit: An Interview with an Identity Thief 117

    Part III How to Fight Fraud

    Chapter 11 Who Are the Victims? 129

    Chapter 12 Become a Fraud Fighter 145

    Chapter 13 Fraud Prevention That Works 159

    Appendix A The Fraud-Vulnerability Quiz 173

    Appendix B Fraud-Prevention Resource List 177

    Notes 181

    About the Author 185

    Index 187

Scam Artists AARP

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    A Paperback / softback by D. Shadel

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      Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 30/03/2012
      ISBN13: 9781118173640, 978-1118173640
      ISBN10: 1118173643
      Also in:
      Finance and accounting

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A practical guide to avoiding the most common scams, from a fraud-fighting expert

      U.S. consumers lose billions of dollars each year to scam artistsand the next victim could be you. While anyone can be targeted, many victims are older. In AARP''s Outsmarting the Scam Artists, renowned fraud-fighter Doug Shadel offers practical advice for consumers who want to protect their money as well as the financial assets of their parents and families.

      Despite the rise of scams, many people are embarrassed to admit they''ve been victimized. The author helps break the cycle of shame by including accounts from the people who''ve been scammed as well as tips from a surprising source: convicted con artists who reveal how they''ve defrauded people like you.

      • Get practical tips to combat all kinds of scams, from simple lottery tickets to non-existent oil and gas deals and religious ponzi schemes
      • Learn how to protect yourself by securing your mailbox and

        Table of Contents

        Acknowledgments ix

        Preface xi

        Part I The Scam Artists’ Playbook

        Chapter 1 Inside the Con Artist’s Mind 3

        Chapter 2 Ether: The Con Artist’s Central Strategy 19

        Chapter 3 The Stages of Fraud 29

        Part II Con Artists in Action

        Chapter 4 Exploiting Ego: The Oil-and-Gas Scam 49

        Chapter 5 Exploiting Faith: The Religious Ponzi Scam 63

        Chapter 6 Exploiting Fear: The Gold Coin Scam 77

        Chapter 7 Exploiting Boredom: The Movie Scam 85

        Chapter 8 Exploiting the American Dream: The Business Opportunity Scam 93

        Chapter 9 Exploiting Hope: The Lottery Scam 107

        Chapter 10 Exploiting Credit: An Interview with an Identity Thief 117

        Part III How to Fight Fraud

        Chapter 11 Who Are the Victims? 129

        Chapter 12 Become a Fraud Fighter 145

        Chapter 13 Fraud Prevention That Works 159

        Appendix A The Fraud-Vulnerability Quiz 173

        Appendix B Fraud-Prevention Resource List 177

        Notes 181

        About the Author 185

        Index 187

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