Frank W. Abagnale shares 10 tips to help prevent identity theft

Frank W. Abagnale, the world's leading expert on outsmarting con artists, in a Nov. 14 AARP Arkansas Fraud Watch Network event  in Little Rock shared expertise and a variety of tips on how to spot and avoid scams.

274021 Fraud FWN Abagnale Event Handout HiRes (scroll down to page 2 of the attachment).

Speaking to nearly 300 Little Rock-area residents at the Embassy Suites, Abagnale, an AARP Fraud Watch Network Ambassador, also shared his life story. Between the ages of 16 and 21, Abagnale successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a doctor and cashed millions in fraudulent checks. He got caught, and his exploits were depicted in the hit 2002 Steven Spielberg film Catch Me If You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network was launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages.  The website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive scam-tracking map, fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Abagnale.

Users may sign up for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Learn more about the Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork