The Art of the Steal

By: Frank W. Abagnale

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In his celebrated best seller Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale recounted his youthful career as a master imposter and forger. In The Art of the Steal, Abagnale tells the remarkable story of how he parlayed his knowledge of cons and scams into a successful career as a consultant to businesses on preventing financial foul play - while revealing to listeners how they can identify and outsmart perpetrators of fraud.

Technology may have made it easier to track down criminals, but cyberspace has spawned a skyrocketing number of ways to commit crime - much of it untraceable. In fact, Frank Abagnale has discovered that punishment for fraud, much less recovery of stolen funds, is a rare occurrence. Prevention is the best form of protection. Drawn from his early years of experience as an ingenious con artist (whose check scams alone mounted to more than two million dollars in stolen funds) and his 25-year career on the other side of the law, The Art of the Steal provides eye-opening stories of true scams, with tips on how they could have been avoided.

©2001 Frank Abagnale, Jr. (P)2001 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A useful work on business and personal privacy." (Library Journal)
"Captivating and useful." (Amazon.com)

Liked it ...

Some really good info on how not to get duped. This needs an update to current technologies. How not to get swindled, we are all vulnerable to the cunnings of the master manipulators of the world, even the rich and famous. While we all look forward these people sneak in the back doors of, what we think is our security. They steal our ground and replace it with a false bottom without us knowing it.

This book shows us how the thieves do it. But it's up to us to recognize when we're being taken for a ride. For most, that's too often. Read this and you might be able to see some of the intruders into, what you thought was your secure life.

Very informative!

Worth listening to even if only for the real cases you hear. Very entertaining and informative.

I also highly recommend his bio 'Catch Me If You Can.' You won't believe the things he got away with!

Essential education on scams & fraud.

Everyone should read this and follow the advice given! Identify theft is going to skyrocket after the Equifax data breach. We all need to protect ourselves.

Outstanding

Although this book is a bit dated, it's still very entertaining, informative and timely. A MUST read if you want to protect yourself from the scammers and fraudsters. Excellent narration from Barrett Whitener.

Protect Yourself - Listen to this book.

Again, Mr. Abagnale regales us with some of the best and relevent material I have heard on Audible. (See 'Catch Me If You Can') This book will open your eyes to how crooks go about their business and the not-common-enough sense ways you might discourage them. It covers such ordinary scams as the 'short change scam' (I had to listen to this several times before I got it) to identity theft and online crime. Should be required listening for anyone who engages in ecommerce.

A peek inside the mind of a con man

Great audiobook. I broke from my usual mystery/suspense category to download this book and I'm super glad I did. This book gives insight into the way a criminal's mind works. Normal folks simply do not think this way. You will find yourself stunned at how you've NOT been paying attention to certain things. The chapter on embezzlement alone is worth the download credit. It will have you looking at your co-workers from a whole different angle.

Great narration. The writing was a little flaky and could have used the services of an editor but hey, the author was a crook not a novelist. Highly recommended download.

The missing sequel to Catch Me If You Can

The first few chapters pick up where the author left off at the end of Catch Me If You Can. It gives a satisfying conclusion that was lacking in the other book. Well worth buying for that alone! The rest of the information is also good and worth a listen.

Well...now I’m scared.

“The Art of the Steal” is a near terrifying insight into how to recognize and avoid cons and scams. Or, as even the author says, pull them off. He knows some people will use this book as a DIY con game manual. It’s that good. I’m now debating listening to his third book “Stealing Your Life,” as I’m sure it’s bound to frighten me more. But also educate me. I now know there are certain steps I need to take on behalf of my mom and I for protection because this kind of crime is rampant and only growing.

AN ENTERTAINING CAUTIONARY TALE

Frank Abagnale was arguably the most successful con man in history, and all before he could vote. In this book he tells us how to avoid being conned. Very entertaining (you'll be shocked by what con men do) and very informative.

A must read if you value your credit and assets

Mr. Abagnale has done us a phenomenal service by pointing out dozens of ways we can protect ourselves from the myriad of scam artists in the world. Ignorance is not bliss! There were a few scenarios that didn't apply to me personally but I listened to the whole book for fear of missing information that I did need. Mr. Abagnale is a very interesting writer, and if you haven't done so, I suggest you read/listen to his amazing book, Catch Me If You Can, before listening to this one. Both books are read by the same outstanding reader. Thank you, Mr. Abagnale, for using your extraordinary brain to benefit us all! :)