How to Identify a Con Artist

Con artists seek to extract money through high-pressure tactics and deceptive coercion.

A con artist is an individual who deceives others using scams and fraudulent schemes, usually in an attempt to extract as much money as possible under the guise of mutual benefit. Identifying a con artist can be challenging because their tactics are often clever, tricking their victims by gaining their trust, capitalizing on their victims' weaknesses and disguising their true intentions. However, education on con artists' tactics aids in identification and prevention of being scammed in the future.

Instructions

1. Watch out for anyone who approaches you with an offer that is supposedly to your great benefit but requires you to spend a large amount of money. Beware of individuals approaching you with concern for your welfare who demand immediate compensation in exchange for their services or your safety.

2. Request proof or verification of all claims. If the individual requesting funds begins to appear nervous, can't keep his or her story straight or begins "forgetting" important parts of his or her story, it is likely this individual is a con artist.

3. Verify any calls from someone claiming to work with a charitable organization. If the caller claims to be from an obscure organization or claims that funds must be directed into a personal checking account, the caller is probably a con artist.

4. Watch out for anyone approaching you with a deal that must be held in complete secrecy, even from friends and family. A con artist will often attempt to convince victims that their close associates are the ones with nefarious intentions.

References

• Psychology Today: How to Run a Con
• NASAA Fraud Center: How To Spot A Con Artist