A con artist is an individual who is skilled and experienced at devising and executing scams and other fraudulent schemes. The purpose is normally to get as much money from a victim as possible, but to do so in a way the victim actually believes they are getting a benefit. Thus, often the con artist is gone a long time before the victim realizes what took place.

Fortunately for those who have yet to be victimized, con artists often do things the same way, time and time again. Therefore, the most popular tricks of the trade are quickly discovered, allowing for individuals to have some chance at protection. However, in order to protect oneself from a con artist, it is first necessary for the consumer, or potential victim, to educate himself or herself on some of the more common types of scams.

In order to truly be good at what he or she is doing, a con artist must first gain the trust of the victim. This could involve developing a relationship with a target that lasts days, weeks or months. The most elaborate of hoaxes may be executed over a period of years. However, the payoff on these cons are very big and therefore a few select few individuals are targeted.

Once the con artist has gained the person's trust, eventually the con will begin. If successful, this will eventually lead to a possibly large sum of money changing hands, but the return to the victim will be minimal, if anything at all. In such cases, the victim must willingly give the money. This is done in return for a promise from the person perpetrating the fraud, a promise the person will likely never return.

To make money, a con artist may choose any number of different schemes. One of the most common are telephone marketing schemes where the giver believes they are donating to a charity, or buying some sort of product. In these cases, it is possible for the con artist to target dozens, if not hundreds of individuals in a single day. Less often practiced is the face-to-face con, where a con artist actually makes direct contact with an individual. These are riskier for the con man, who gives up his anonymity in such situations.

For those who wish to protect themselves from a con artist, there are a number of different things they can do. First, never give personal information to someone you don't know -- or at least a company name with which you are not familiar. Second, if you suspect a con, call the police. Third, educate yourself. There are many Web sites, such as the National Fraud Information Center, that can help in this regard.