A former con man explains the 3-step process he uses to protect himself against identity theft
Dario Cantatore / Stringer / Getty Images
Abagnale isn't a fictional character. The movie is based on a portion of his life, before he was arrested at 21.
Today the 68-year-old former con man works as a fraud expert for the FBI and serves as an ambassador for the AARP Fraud Watch Network to raise awareness and prevention of cybercrime.
And, he tells AARP's Hugh Delehanty, identity theft is "amazingly simple to do."
To protect himself against modern-day fraudsters, Abagnale uses a three-step process:
1. He shreds everything with a micro-cut shredder, "even if it's worthless."
2. He uses a service to monitor activity at the three US credit bureaus and notify him when anyone tries to use his credit. (He doesn't specify which one, but each of the bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - offer it for a fee, and companies like IdentityGuard, IdentityForce, and Lifelock also provide this service.)
3. He rarely writes checks, which are easy to duplicate and steal.
Additionally, Abagnale tells AARP that he stays away from debit cards, using credit cards exclusively:
I don't have one. I use only credit cards, because if somebody gets my card number and charges $1 million, my liability - by federal law - is zero. But when you use a debit card, you're exposing the money in your account. And even if you use your debit card every day for the next 25 years, it won't raise your credit score one point.
Read the full interview with Abagnale at AARP »
NOW WATCH: 4 lottery winners who lost it all
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market