INDIANAPOLIS -- One of the world's most famous con artists is teaming up with the AARP to educate people across the country about frauds.
Frank Abagnale, Jr., was the basis of Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the movie "Catch Me If You Can."
The scammer-turned-FBI consultant says he barely recognizes himself from that part of his life.
"You know what's most amazing?" Abagnale said. "Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 68. I know that people most know me from the movie, but when I look back on my life at 68, I really don't think much about the things I did between 16 and 21."
Now the man who impersonated an airline pilot, a doctor and more is fighting back to protect you.
Abagnale is educating people about the AARP's new Fraud Watch program.
"The thing is: We live in a country that most of the people are honest," Abagnale said. "Because they're honest, they don't think in a deceptive way, so when they get an email from the IRS, they assume it is the IRS."
Abagnale says education is the best way to stop scams in the first place.
One of his main targets: annoying robo-calls. Abagnale says he's got a trick for them, too.
"All of these calls that come in, robocalls, there are computers that are also analyzing how long you are on the phone," Abagnale said. "So if I pick up the phone and start listening or I start prompting the buttons on the phone, they're going to keep calling me back. But, if I hang up in those 5 or 10 seconds really quickly, they're going to stop calling, because I'm not even picking up on the recording."
Click here to learn more about the AARP Fraud Watch program.
