Ex-Scammer of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Fame Warns of Virus-Related Fraud
April 15, 2020 by Jane Wollman Rusoff
The fraudsters are “coming out of the woodwork.” Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic is “a win-win-win” for them, Frank Abagnale, the famous fraudster-turned-FBI consultant, tells ThinkAdvisor in an interview. His youth as a professional imposter and check forger inspired the film “Catch Me If You Can” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Abagnale, an authority on fraud, forgery and cybersecurity, 71, stresses that under stay-at-home orders, people — fearful and anxious amidst the outbreak and financial fallout — are more vulnerable to scammers.
In fact, he cautions that “during the next several weeks, more than ever in your life,” Americans must be super-careful to avoid being conned. That’s when the first economic impact payments under the Coronavirus Relief, Aid and Economic Security (CARES) Act are planned to be dispersed to taxpayers.
The danger, he warns, is that fraudsters will call, email or text insisting they need an individual’s address and personal information so they can send them a check.
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