In the era of information, scams are even more prevalent than they were in the past. However, they are also easier to spot—if you know where to look.

Luckily, one of the most famous scammers has shifted sides. Frank Abagnale may have become renowned after being portrayed as a charming rogue in a famous Steven Spielberg film, but his days as an outlaw are gone. Now, he writes books to help the common folk avoid the crimes of guys like him.

From his picturesque adventures to his real-life advice, Frank Abagnale’s books have it all—take a look.

Who is Frank Abagnale?

Frank William Abagnale Jr. has many talents, plenty of which have gotten him in trouble with the law.

Although he is currently an author and a security consultant, he gained notoriety for a series of exploits that took place long before that. He is the self-proclaimed author of a chain of increasingly bold frauds and scams, many of which he eluded justice for, and some of which finally got him convicted and—eventually—reformed.

Born in 1948, Abagnale got an early start in his career as a conman. At 16, he disguised himself as a police officer to enter an apartment. At 17, his actions got bolder, as he decided to impersonate an airline pilot—only the first of many attempts.

From then on, his exploits grew bolder and more outlandish, many achievable through his confidence—at least, according to his claims. Although he affirms that he committed many criminal exploits, some have refuted them as outlandishly exaggerated or fake.

Regardless of the truth, Frank Abagnale’s name has become a legend and synonymous with bold conmen, not in small part thanks to the notorious film Catch Me If You Can, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as a young Abagnale at the peak of his criminal activity.

However, not many know that films are based on books. In fact, books by Frank Abagnale cover everything—from his real-life story to actual advice.

All Books By Frank Abagnale, in Order

Frank Abagnale’s books are not plentiful, but they are well-regarded in his field of expertise. He has collaborated with other authors, but his bibliography is comprised of five core books.

Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake (1980)

Many notorious artists achieved their greatest masterpieces while very young. Frank Abagnale proves this trend does not exclude con artists.

By age 21, Abagnale practiced law without a license, worked as a college sociology professor without a degree, posed as a hospital resident, co-piloted a Pan Am jet, and got over $2.5 million in forged cheques. And that’s only some of his most famous exploits.

As depicted on the big screen by Leonardo DiCaprio, Catch Me If You Can narrates Abagnale’s daring adventures in crime as a fraudster of legend, and how he evaded the justice of 27 countries—until he couldn’t.

The Art of the Steal: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Fraud (2002)

Who better to teach you safety against frauds and scams than a fraudster himself? Using the knowledge he acquired from years of scamming, Abagnale sits now on the side of the law to share his tips and tricks to ensure you won’t be able to fall for cons like the ones he used to run.

In this book by Frank Abagnale, he redirects his forgery talents towards stopping fraud, shedding light on the mind of a con artist, the warning signs to look for, and everything you can do to stop you or your business from becoming another fraud victim.

Real U Guide to Identity Theft (2004)

Identity theft is one of the most common forms of crime in the United States, and it affects ordinary, unsuspecting citizens every single hour. It is nefarious, insidious, and carries long-term consequences that can change your life forever.

Frank Abagnale knows all about that—after all, he committed several identity theft crimes as a con man. He has now changed, reformed, and dedicated to his role as a security consultant, which is why, in this Real U Guide, he offers his expertise to help you identify identity scams and guide you through the solutions if the worst were to happen.

Stealing Your Life: The Ultimate Identity Theft Prevention Plan (2007)

In line with the Real U Guide to Identity Theft, this book expands upon the methods and risks of identity theft to create a comprehensive plan and strategies for protecting your valuable data from wrongdoers and criminals.

With just a name and an address, Abagnale can gather all the information required to usurp someone’s identity. With this book, he teaches you what to do, step by step, to ensure that person is not you—including tips fit for the digital age.

Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today’s Rip-off Artists (2019)

In his most recent book, Abagnale expands his advice beyond identity theft and covers a wide range of scammers and rip-off artists. His advice can help you pinpoint and avoid countless crimes, from scam phone calls to stolen credit card numbers.

From carefully monitoring the type of photos you upload on social media to the correct use of your available cards, Abagnale’s tips and tricks can help you reframe how you navigate the world, keeping your eyes open to the countless scammers waiting around you.

The Greatest Hoax on Earth and The Frank Abagnale Controversy

If Abagnale’s countless scams and bold con artistry make you raise an eyebrow and seem too good to be true, you wouldn’t be the first skeptic. His exploits have often been deemed at best an exaggeration and at worst a boastful lie, with some of the details in his stories having contradictions with real-life evidence.

However, one author took it further. In 2020, Alan C. Logan published a book titled The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can, dedicated to his attempts to systematically rebuke Abagnale’s accounts and expose his story as a hoax.

Whether or not he succeeds in his exploits is up to the reader, but this book may be worthwhile for anyone with an inquisitive mind and a desire to uncover the truth.

Conclusion: The Truths and Lies of a Legend

In this tangled web of lies and truths, it becomes hard to determine the facts from the sensationalization.

However, Abagnale has effectively deceived the world—before or after the release of Catch Me If You Can—making his expertise relevant to anyone looking to read them. As such, any of Frank Abagnale’s books can offer you either solid advice or the joy of entertainment.

If you’re done protecting yourself against scams and want to improve your business, don’t forget to look at the most searched business books, best how to get rich books, the 10 best sales books, entrepreneur books and 10 leadership books for women to secure your financial success in 2025.