About this ebook
“[A] fascinating, informative, and highly entertaining primer on the various ways the uninitiated may find themselves ripped off by a con artist.” —Publishers Weekly
No one thinks it can happen to them, but Americans are forty times more likely to be defrauded than to have their cars stolen or their homes burgled. Con artists ruin people financially and emotionally, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, broken hearts, and deflated dreams.
The first step to combating fraud is to understand it. What do scams look like? Why are they effective? The next step is to take action. How can we protect ourselves and our families? The Con: How Scams Work, Why You’re Vulnerable, and How to Protect Yourself informs and engages with accessible stories of ordinary people from all walks of life thrown into unexpected and disorienting circumstances. The book goes behind the scenes of real-world cons to examine the logistics and psychology that enable scams to succeed. The goal is to help people understand and recognize deception, and in the same way that they avoid other potentially dangerous situations, take a detour. Once readers have gained a clear idea of what scams look and sound like and learned simple strategies to reduce personal risk, protecting themselves will be just as instinctive as putting on a seat belt.
“This compelling work goes a long way toward putting distance between scammers and their prey.” —Foreword Reviews
“Completely fascinating and insightful.” —Booklist
No one thinks it can happen to them, but Americans are forty times more likely to be defrauded than to have their cars stolen or their homes burgled. Con artists ruin people financially and emotionally, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, broken hearts, and deflated dreams.
The first step to combating fraud is to understand it. What do scams look like? Why are they effective? The next step is to take action. How can we protect ourselves and our families? The Con: How Scams Work, Why You’re Vulnerable, and How to Protect Yourself informs and engages with accessible stories of ordinary people from all walks of life thrown into unexpected and disorienting circumstances. The book goes behind the scenes of real-world cons to examine the logistics and psychology that enable scams to succeed. The goal is to help people understand and recognize deception, and in the same way that they avoid other potentially dangerous situations, take a detour. Once readers have gained a clear idea of what scams look and sound like and learned simple strategies to reduce personal risk, protecting themselves will be just as instinctive as putting on a seat belt.
“This compelling work goes a long way toward putting distance between scammers and their prey.” —Foreword Reviews
“Completely fascinating and insightful.” —Booklist
Ratings and reviews
4.5
2 reviews
A Google user
- Flag inappropriate
October 23, 2011
Eye opening and has some very practical advice.
About the author
James Munton is an expert in deception and misdirection. A successful magician, James provides entertainment, marketing and training for corporations and organizations. He has performed for Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Cheney and three times at the White House. He is an in-demand speaker on the subjects of identity theft and data breaches. He has appeared on Fox 5 News and ABC Morning News (Washington, D.C.) and in a National Geographic Television documentary special. He has been featured in articles in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He is a past president of the National Capital chapters of both the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians. Jelita McLeod is an award-winning writer who has worked in marketing, advocacy and public relations for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, International Educator, The College Board Review and Vital Speeches of the Day. Her com
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
