Expert to Explain How to Avoid Scams

Frank Abagnale, a security consultant to the FBI for more than 40 years, will offer tips on how to avoid scams at an AARP Fraud Watch Network event at the Ellora in Edison on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Abagnale’s colorful past as a con artist in the 1960s inspired the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can. He has written three books on fraud and identity theft, and has helped large companies beef up security against cyberattacks.

New Jerseyans filed more than 67,000 fraud complaints with the Federal Trade Commission in 2015, including more than 11,000 claims of identity theft.

Abagnale will explain how thieves steal identities from online sources and debit cards to take out mortgages, drain bank accounts or mask their identities while committing other crimes.

Refreshments and a resource fair will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 6:45 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required. For details or to register, go to aarp.cvent.com/njabagnale or call 877-926-8300 toll-free.