Product Description

Product Description

Falling for a scam or con is humiliating for anyone, and can have terrible consequences. But for the elderly, being the victim of fraud can be disastrous, and they are the most common and vulnerable targets of everyday scams, cons, and frauds. From identity theft to gambling scams, from power of attorney issues to pyramid schemes, there is no dearth of creativity in the ways some criminals will relieve the elderly from their money and their homes. Here, Alt and Wells describe the most common scams, offer the stories of actual victims, and detail ways to protect yourself and your family from becoming easy targets.

What makes the elderly such easy marks for con artists? How can they avoid the common traps? Knowing about them is one place to start, and this book helps readers to understand and identify the most common scams perpetrated against the elderly. Because such cons are so hard to prosecute, it is important to know the methods criminals employ to separate innocents from their hard-earned money. This lively, vivid account of one of the most insidious forms of crime will help families and individuals protect themselves and their loved ones from the machinations of those who view them as easy marks.

Customer Reviews (2)

Important as a basic consumer reference
The elderly are particularly susceptible to scams and cons and new ones pop up each day: that's why Fleecing Grandma And Grandpa: Protecting Against Scams, Cons, And Frauds is so important as a basic consumer reference: it covers everything from identity theft and telemarketing fraud to caregiver scams, it follows case histories and descriptions with preventative advice, and its absorption will make for a more savvy senior.

Excellent Book- Great Guide to Avoiding Scams
This book should be required reading for anyone who has responsibility for elderly people, children or vulnerable adults.

The authors could have put this book forward as a general guide to fraud prevention; most of the schemes listed are used against other groups as well as the elderly (e.g. Nigerian Advance Payment frauds - this fraud relies on greed).

The chapter on Internet dating is as applicable to teenagers as it is to the elderly.

Two negatives; the book does not explain how to convey the information without inducing excessive fear (if you have someone who is vulnerable you may want to think how you convey the message); and, as with any book of this type, the information could be misused.

Great book - forewarned is forearmed.Well worth reading. ... Read more

Product Description
One in nine Americans will lose money as a victim of fraud

• Every man and woman in the country (and every child with an email address) will be targeted by professional fraudsters-multiple times.
• Seven out of every eight frauds go unreported.
• Most fraudsters will get away with their crime.
• Government agencies and crime watchdogs suggest that there could be up to $100 billion worth of fraud in this country in any given year.

A jaw-dropping exposé of fraud in America today-who's doing it, how it's done, and how you can protect yourself-the world of fraud is laid bare: from personal finance and investment schemes to Internet scams and identity theft, to pyramid cons and the infamous Nigerian advance fee frauds.

Jeffrey Robinson gets inside the heads of the most notorious scam artists to uncover the psychological weapons they use to entice victims. With uncanny clarity and insight, he shows how to spot a scam and how to limit your exposure to fraudsters.

There's a Sucker Born Every Minute levels the playing field, arming consumers with the knowledge they need to combat even the most insidious conmen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Another insightful book from Jeffrey Robinson
Another insightful and entertaining financial crime book by Jeffrey Robinson. It should be part of everyone's financial crime library. I provided it as a handout to 35 graduate students in my Anti-Money Laundering class. The book served as a means of providing insight into the various scams, as well as, a tool to instruct the class on how to protect themselves and their families against these frauds. I am eagerly awaiting Mr. Robinson's next financial crime book. John F. Forbes

The Merger: The International Conglomerate of Organized Crime
The Laundrymen - Inside Money Laundering, The World's Third Largest Business
Sink ... Read more

Product Description
How con artists will steal your savings and inheritance through telemarketing fraud, investment schemes and consumer scams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A good read
If you are interested in protecting yourself from different types of "once in a life type opportunities", then read this book. There are several good books on this comprehensive topics. I found this one an easy read. It covers all of the major (and their variations) frauds/schemes you are likely to encounter. I have take many proactive steps are reading this book to protect my identity and myself.

The World's Second Oldest Profession?
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"Imagine then, a worthless item covered in gold dust so fine that while appearing lustrous, a simple puff of wind or breath reveals its true value." p.5
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I own the first edition (2000). I believe Les both wrote and published it himself. There is so much raw data here, I think an editor would have provided some measure of control. That's one explanation for the book being over 600 pages long. Another culprit is the large font size. I suppose one justification for that might have been the anticipated readership, i.e., senior citizens who might be scam targets (and who I suppose have bad eyesight!).

Still, the author is to be commended for tracking down these scam artists. If the book is not as attractive as one from a major publishing house, so be it. The message is still valid, and the cost of purchasing "Crimes of Persuasion" must surely pale in comparison to the potential for lost life savings.

After all, it is easier than ever to get scammed and we must always remain vigilant. Is an offer too good to be true? Then it probably is. While not advocating paranoia, I believe a healthy degree of skepticism will prevent criminals from taking your money easily. As well, there is a responsibility to keep an eye on our elderly relatives who are, it must be said, ripe for the picking. Many older people have a trust and respect for their fellow citizens which can be exploited. They also may be unable to fact check or do due diligence online.

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"Offenders routinely include an element of urgency in their pitches, stressing that the prize, investment, or other item being offered will not be available unless you send the required funds quickly." p.13
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This book covers many variations of scams, some popular, some less encountered. Pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, chain letters, Nigerian 4-1-9 ("The manufacture of impressive stamps and letterhead is now supported by a huge infrastructure funded by the huge success of this industry." p.522), lottery and sweepstakes, medical billing, money clubs, affinity fraud, and much, much more. Even other ways of separating yourself from your money, such as boiler room telemarketing, or face-to-face street scams like the pigeon drop.

Ever received a series of calls (or newsletters) accurately predicting market trends or even specific stock movement? Here's the magic behind the curtain:
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"The scammer began with a calling list of 200 people. In the first call, he told 100 that the price would go up and the other 100 were told it would go down. When it went up, he made a second call to the 100 who had been given the "correct forecast." Of these, 50 were told the next price move would be up and 50 were told it would be down. The end result: Once the predicted price decline occurred, he had a list of 50 persons eager to invest." p.90
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In addition to the concerns I mentioned at the outset, only five pages of "Solutions" at the very end of the book seemed light. The pagination as it relates to the Table of Contents was also askew. Hopefully the 2nd edition (2003) remedies these issues, and is more readable. I'm guessing so at least on the latter point, since it is listed at a slimmed down 436 pages.

Once you are prepared with the knowledge and insight to repel scammers, you can watch late-night Get Rich Quick informercials just for the fun of it.

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"The unnaturally happy and enthusiastic audience is paid to applaud and look dumbfounded as each new feature is revealed." p.482
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Further reading might include License to Steal and The Big Con:

License to Steal : The Secret World of Wall Street and the Systematic Plundering of the American Investor

The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man

Easy to read explanation of con artists and fraud
This book gives a great over view of con artists and their work. It offers a much needed balance given the media's tendency to glorify con artists and the crimes they commit. The focus on the victims is a wonderful aspect of this work.

Although they are psychopathic and antisocial, they are not loners. Con artists have many relationships and I have been most interested in their family relationships. I highly recommend this book to people who are the family members of convicted and suspected con artists. This book will help you come to grips with the real person behind the con and it is not pretty!

The author (Henderson) does a great service as he points out that con artists cannot work without accomplices. Often people become unsuspecting accomplices when they endorse a con artist or his/her business.

Alot of grey areas
I bought this book after looking at the table of contents and seeing the plothera of cons that can be done to people and businesses. I wanted to use the book as a comparative to ethical marketing. Well guess what? You can argue that the con man and the businessman uses the same tatics!!!! Indeed, in this book there are some straight cons that are blankety illegal, but, others really aren't so cut and dry. Some methods that marketers use and "get away" with you can find on informocials past and present. Some of the biggest names and best selling products and services in history have been used by marketers using some of the methods in this book. I think the blur between whats legal and illegal can be a matter of what the government and law enforcement choose to do with a company.

This book was an eye opener and I thought that there is no way I could be conned, but, I see as the author pointed out that anyone can be conned, including the author with all his knowledge.
My only caveat is that a consumer can read this book and may think that everything is a con because the con man and legitimate companies are so much alike. The real difference is what is deemed as value by consumers, lawyers, gov't and all who choose to be involved.
My only other complaint is that I was left wanting more details!! Things such as the economics of the con and cost analysis of hiring and building the company of each con and a whole lot of other specifics which probably would've catapult this book to 1000 pages!

Informative, and Fun to Read
A must-read. The author describes in details many different types of scams through which people get defrauded. The book is also fun to read because it shows how the scammers use people's psychological traits (like greed, insecurity, or even loneliness) to get them to part with their money. It's very interesting and you can actually see analogous strategies being played out in TV commercials or even in your daily interactions with people who try to get things from you. I feel much more prepared to deal with life after reading this. ... Read more

Product Description
It has been said that scammers and swindlers often display characteristics commonly attributed to good leadership. These include setting a vision, communicating it clearly, and motivating others to follow their lead. But when these skills are used by unconscionable people to satisfy greed, how can the average person recognize that foul play is afoot?

Providing a unique account of frauds throughout modern history, Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles: Failures of Ethics in Leadership compiles narratives from around the world, including a number of highly-publicized cases. Leading financial and investigative experts have authored the individual chapters, yet the book maintains a reader-friendly style. 

The result is a text that is highly engaging and most importantly, provides regulators and investigators with an understanding of the motivations and behavior common to the individuals behind these life-damaging crimes.

The book includes a wealth of stories, including famous cases such as Ponzi, ZZZZ Best, Enron, Parmalat, and Vivendi, along with lesser-known scandals involving both corporations and individuals. There is also a section on frauds perpetrated for motives other than financial rewards, including instances when the government performed experiments on humans without their knowledge or consent, as well as stories on frauds involving science and religion.

A section detailing the Arthur Anderson debacle discusses the compounding of a fraud when the supposed watchdog plays a complicit role. And recognizing that not every issue is black or white, the book also explores whether a hoax perpetrated in the name of a noble cause can ever be justified.

By reviewing the tactics used by swindlers and the motivations that turned good people crooked, investigators and others will come to recognize the red flags that accompany unscrupulous behavior. In doing so, they may well learn how to head off potential disaster.

Customer Reviews (1)

Scam-a-rific!
There are plenty of books about con artists out there, but i don't think any of them are as funny as this one. Put this oneon the shelf next to your true crime favorites. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume One: (In six sections)
CITATIONS: Contains words, phrases and deceptive terms,conditions and procedures used by fraudsters. These are defined anddescribed.

MEDIA REPORTS: Articles by prominent authors discussing theabove citations and how they were promoted by fraudsters andcompanies.

LITIGATIONS: More than 30 actual litigations of fraudsters whopromoted scams and illegal investment offers.

WHERE TO REPORT FRAUD AND SCAMS: The names, addresses andcontact phone numbers of agencies where to report suspicious andfraudulent offers

GLOSSARY OF TERMS: Terms used in legitimate and fraudulent investments.

ACRONYMS: Abbreviations and acronyms found in similar studies and relevant literature.

Volume Two:
*Contains four actual fraudulent investment offers, called Practicums.
*Each Practicum contains author's margin notes explaining why the information in each paragraph is fraudulent.
*Both books are cross-referenced throughout.
*After the four Practicums, there are 15 questions. After each question the author indicates where in volumes 1 and 2 the information supporting the question and the appropriate answers can be found.
*The last section of Volume 2 is devoted to describing four major scams that appeared "inside" banks in distinction to scams fraudsters commit "outside" banks.
*There is a "select bibliography" but comprehensive at the end of volume 1. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Inside the World of Investment Fraud, Scams and Deceptive Pr
I have been fooled many times in the past by dishonest promoters.Havingread these books I now know what to look for and I can challenge theveracity of an investment offer. I wish I had read these books in the 80'swhen I was foolish enough to invest in prime bank notes and debentures and40 weeks HYIP programs.Thank you Dr. Boccagna for this new enlightenment.

Inside the World of Investment Fraud, Scams and Deceptive Pr
Had Dr. Boccagna's Inside the World of Investment Fraud, Scams and Deceptive Practices been available sooner, considerable time and money spent investigating bogus investment opportunites would have been saved. Fraudsters used well menaing brokers and intermediaries to providethemselves with a cloak of crediblility.In addition, fraudsterrestrictions on verifying arrangements with bankers and others made thenormal process of verification impossible.Added to this was thedifficulty encountered in verifying bogus proposed international bankingarrangements and financial instruments.Dr. Boccagna's book has made itclear that being familiar with fraudsters' mechanisms and terminology isthe way to pierce through their obfiscation.And, to the extent thatexotic banking arrangements and financial instruments do not fall withinthe ususal parameters for evaluating investment opportunities, it is alsoclear that even apparently legitamate exotic investment proposals canbenefit from consultation with a specialist.Thank you Dr. Boccagna. ... Read more

Product Description

Flim Flam explores the world of Canadian white-collar crime, a place inhabited by hustlers, wild gamblers, and crazy dreamers. It takes the reader to the Vancouver Stock Exchange, where dream salesmen have peddled wild stories of easy money, through the "moose pasture" scams of northern Canada, to the con artists who have been drawn to Toronto's financial district. Along the way, you'll meet crooked politicians, a young con man who confessed to a church congregation after he was "born again," disbarred lawyers, and the creator of a huge paper fortune who was left with nothing but a wolfskin coat when his real estate empire fell apart.

Greed is a powerful motivator that has taken some Canadians down strange roads. Some have ended up pocketing millions, but many more of Canada's con artists have self-destructed, taking with them the fortunes of the people they bilked. In the end, they've usually fooled themselves, too.

Flim Flam shows that Canadians aren't nearly as dull as we'd like to believe. When it comes to conning each other, we have some of the most colourful and interesting hucksters in the world. This book contains stories from all regions of the country. It will appeal to business and true-crime readers, as well as people who are students of human nature.

Product Description
This book looks at various hoaxes, scams, and types of fraud.We will learn to recognize these crimes for what they are and we will look at what we can do to protect ourselves from becoming victims of these crimes.It is important to remember, however, that no book can identify every possible hoax, scam or fraud, or every variation on these crimes.There will always be some new twist, some new way that criminals find to take advantage of the unsuspecting.What we can all do is to learn to recognize the most common of these crimes and to recognize the underlying principles that make these crimes successful.Don't be conned out of your life savings, tricked into paying for goods you will never receive or lose your complete identity - become aware! ... Read more

Product Description
Industry of Illusions is a book for all people involved or wanting to get involved in the health and fitness industry. Last year 35 billion dollars was spent in the industry and we have an overwhelming 65%+ of Americans over-weight. Where is this money going? Our children are also suffering from what society has made them believe they should look like. Industry of Illusions is a very valuable book for all men, women, children and senior citizens. Grianti has written a book that exposes every segment of the health and fitness industry from weight-loss scams to fitness club scams. This is not a reference or how to book. It is a book that says wake up America, where is your common sense? Grisanti makes it very clear that there are many good and even great individuals and companies. He wrote the book to separate the good from the bad...every fitness consumer has the right to know. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Honest truth
When I first saw this book, I was attracted by its very smart cover. They say "Don't judge a book by its cover", but in this case it was all worth it. Reading it was beyond eye-opening. It was the best "tough-love" book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Uncovering the myths of fast dieting and lazy weight-loss is something not many are committed to and, for this alone, Stephen deserves a loud applause. All are tired with the lies of the so called "miracle cures" and "quick work-outs", yet none seems to do anything about it, none seems to care and none seems to be aware of this ignorance that has swept the nation of "the free and the brave". Steve makes a step by step exposure of all these gimmicks and makes it impossible to hide from the sad truth.
Reading this book is not an option, but a must. It will save its readers from being preys to the greediest of fitness industry.

Gristanti's voice and opinion are strong
from Blue Jean Online (www.bluejeanonline.com)

by Mary Zachmeyer,age 17, Teen Editor

Americans spend millions and billons of dollars each year in the relentless pursuit of the perfect figure. Sit down and watch some television. How many ads do you see for gyms, how many infomercials for a "revolutionary weight loss drug," "a 48-hour weight loss drink," and a "diet plan that will help you lose as much weight as you want"?

Of all the diets and weight-loss programs out there, how many are playing off the insecurities of teenagers and the rest of the target audience?

Industry of Illusions, by Stephen Grisanti, asks that question in page after page of opinions geared toward exposing the fraudulent goings-on of the weight-loss industry. His main point: sucking misinformed teens into their money-making scheme is just one big game for these companies.

I've often looked at size double-zero models gracing the cover of magazines, on television shows, and pretty much everywhere in society and felt inadequate in some sort of way. This book has some good, though one-sided, points to make the reader aware that the weight-loss industry isn't always helpful; it's sometimes harmful and degrading.

This book is a good read; it is clear and concise, and Gristanti's voice and opinion are strong throughout. Perhaps more facts from studies and statistical sources would make some of Gristanti's claims a bit more understandable, but the basis of the book is Gristanti expressing his disgust and exposing the reality of the weight-loss industry.

Clearly, Gristanti's personal crusade is the driving force behind this book, and one should understand that before reading it. The crusade is a noble one, however, and Gristanti deftly shows how most of the advertisements and entertainment industries falsify the ideal image of how we should look.

Copyright 2002, Blue Jean Online.

ENLIGHTENING!
Thanks to Mr. Grisanti for his review of the pitfalls that one can fall prey to in this multi million dollar industry.
I am a lot smarter from reading this book and I suspect that I will be more physically fit without having to advance my loan for additional funding! ... Read more

Product Description
The adoption of your child can be one of the happiest moments of your life. To make it so, certain precautions must be taken to ensure that you and your family remain safe, secure and protected from frauds and scams. Learn how to avoid adoption frauds and scams.

If you take time to plan your adoption and educate yourself, it will save you money, time and stress during your journey.

Learn valuable information to help you save heartbreak, time and money. There are warning signs to look for when dealing with a potential birthmomther, to avoid being scammed either financially or emotionally.

There are frauds that occur on the professional level. You need to feel comfortable with the adoption professional you work with to build your family. A good adoption professional will handle the screening of potenital birthmothers for you, oversee the financial aspects of the adoption and can look at situations objectively. ... Read more

Product Description
A "must" book for everyone who invests or saves money. This book gives people the tools to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent investment opportunities and to choose those investments that may be appropriate for them. It provides descriptions of old and new cons, cites examples of how investment schemes and scams work, offers ways of identifying potentially fraudulent deals, and gives details about related state, federal, and local enforcement activities. ... Read more

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This book was written by a dentist in private practice and gives inside information on preventing fraud and embezzlement in the dental office. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever been ripped off? Have you ever wanted to cheat the system? Have you ever wondered how the great Nigerian bank scam really works?Great Frauds And Everyday Scams is full of true stories of scams about town. From devious strategies for winning competitions to naughty goings on at the morgue, it is a light-hearted look at the tricks that are played upon us, and which some of us play on others.Don't be a sucker...John Croucher is a statistics professor with a taste for the bizarre. He is author of Exam Scams and offered football tips to desperate punters as 'Mr Footy Tab' on television. ... Read more

Product Description

Protect your clients – and yourself – from all kinds of financial chicanery and stupidity with this vital new book

It doesn't matter if a financial error was made because of malice or ignorance – the end result is that you lose money. Luckily, you don't have to sit idly and take it. If you have Protecting Clients from Fraud, Incompetence and Scams, you can identify and avoid the dysfunctional sectors of the financial industry, steer clear of the fallout from the Madoff Era, and guide your clients to real, healthy, sustainable returns. This powerful book

• Pinpoints dysfunctional sectors within the financial industry and offers advice against frauds and scammers
• Shows how a team approach to asset management can ward off financial predators
• Offers practical strategies and tools to combat client risk for Risk and Asset Management

Offering insightful information to protect your clients from all sorts of frauds and incompetence, this essential guide equips you with tips and techniques to spot the red flags of fraud and prevent it before it starts. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Enjoyed it
I enjoyed this book (on CD), although it wasn't what I expected.I thought one or two chapters were dull (it may've been the identity theft one) but the stories about custody, frivilous accusations, etc. were interesting, kind of funny but then not, and did expose some failings of our legal/justice system that routinely surprise people (generally at a large cost).I think anyone, and there are many, who suddenly realizes that his or her situation may now actually benefit from or require a lawyer would relate to these stories and the author's point that things really shouldn't be this way. I have recommended it to others and given a copy as a gift. I think it's worth reading (or listening to).

A Reference "Must Have"
Robert Massi takes his detailed and understandable Fox Network legal analysis to print in this handbook for survival in the 21st Century.Mr. Massi is, first and foremost, a teacher and his explanations and guidance are invaluable to avoiding the modern day beartraps that effect so many.An engaging read that untangles those legal nightmares of modern scams.If you only have one book in your personal library, this should be it.

Great Book
This is a great book and full of information needed by the consumer. Bob Massi has experienced first hand the bureaucracy consumers have to deal with in everyday decision making. The book is a great guide to help prevent mistakes others have made in dealing with purchases of all kinds. Take the time and learn from this informative book.

A truly weird approach to explaining common legal problems
Robert Massi is a fixture on FoxNews, appearing often as a "legal analyst". I'm not a lawyer, but Massi's explanations have left me scratching my head more than once. Often it seems Massi is just filling time without much regard for what he's saying - and not much thought either. He's not dumb - he just seems way to willing to express an opinion on legal matters without thorough consideration of the facts.

In "Peopld Get Screwed All The Time", Massi writes of "real people" who run afoul in one way or another of the law. They also seem to be quite a collection of losers who could qualify for leading roles if Woody Allen ever does a remake of "Broadway Danny Rose", a movie about an agent who represents really weird performers.

Ostensibly, Massi is writing about "Potecting Yourself from Scams, Fraud, Identity Theft, Fine Print, and More". In truth, it seems Massi is simply trying to exploit his minimal fame as a television talking head.

The people, allegedly real, are apparently dumber than bricks. For example, we have one individual who doesn't do anything when fraudulent charges start showing up on his credit card account. For another man, Massi says "[t]he easiest lesson to learn from Milton's story is not to cheat on your wife", after the guy's wife left him and the new girlfriend also left him broke with a massive pile of debt. Of course, Milton didn't bother looking at his credit card bills and "would not have been surprised by Rachel's excessive spending - over $50,000 worth - or that she had failed to pay the monthly bills". In other words, Milton like all of Massi's other subjects is a jerk who put himself in his own misery.

Massi ends each chapter with a "How I would have counseled" the person. It's really bland stuff. Say, Milton, don't cheat on your wife and get her angry enough to leave you and don't be too quick to give the honey you just met full access to all your credit cards and not look at the bills.

On the whole this is a silly book. Massi describes a bunch of not very bright people who get ensnared in the kinds of situations not very bright people find themselves in. It is highly unlikely that such people are going to buy this book before they get themselves into trouble - and nothing in this book will help them out of their troubles.

On the whole, save your money and don't bother with this title.

Jerry



... Read more