“Catch Me If You Can” subject Frank Abagnale talks ID theft in Cobb

During his life on the other side of the law, Frank Abagnale Jr. assumed various identities and was a master check forger.

He became an airline pilot and a doctor.

These days, he’s helping people avoid becoming victims of con artists.

Abagnale, whose life inspired the 2002 film, “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will host a free fraud education event, “Stealing Your Life” at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 12 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

John Sours, director of the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit, will also be on the program.

Abagnale, who also wrote, “The Art of the Steal,” eventually went on to help law enforcement nail other con artists. He will share his expertise and insight to help others learn how to spot and avoid scams and to safely use social media to protect their information and their families.

He is now the AARP Fraud Watch Network ambassador.

Identity theft is a major program and the information shared on social media and in every day life has made it easier for information to be stolen.

There is a victim of identity theft every two seconds in the United States, say experts. Older Americans account for as much as 13 percent of those victims, according to the 2015 Identity Theft Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy & Research. One reason is because the over-50 demographic represents one of the fastest growing users of internet and computer users, according to the FBI.

AARP Georgia has several initiatives to help state residents to learn about various tactics and how to protect themselves.

To register for the event and to get more tips go here or call 1-877-926-8300.

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