Directions: Complete the following questions while watching the movie “Catch Me If You Can

Directions: Complete the following questions while watching the movie “Catch Me If You Can.” 1. Write two examples of ways that Frank Abagnale, Jr. successfully obtained identity information to commit identity theft. 2. Write two precipitating factors in Frank’s home life that may have led him to his early life in crime. 3. Why did the airlines have such a difficult time catching and prosecuting Frank for impersonating a pilot and forging payroll checks? 4. How did Frank cheat on the Louisiana State Bar Exam? 5. Do you believe that Frank choosing who he had to live with post his parents divorce started his criminal lifestyle? Why or why not? 6. True or False: Frank did not start his criminal lifestyle until he was into his early twenties. 7. True of False: Throughout the movie, Frank appeared to have a stronger relationship with his father than his mother. 8. How did Frank get money throughout the movie without depositing checks into a bank account? 9. Even though Frank posed as an adult throughout the film, how was his actual age demonstrated through his actions? Give two examples and explain why. 10. How many Federal Reserve banks are there? How did Frank use this to his advantage? 11. Why do you believe Carl took such a personal interest in catching Frank

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Here are the answers to your questions, based on the movie Catch Me If You Can:

1. Two examples of ways Frank Abagnale, Jr. successfully obtained identity information to commit identity theft:
   • Frank impersonated a Pan Am pilot by forging a pilot’s license and identifying himself as a co-pilot, using fake credentials and airline insignia to gain trust and fly for free.
   • He also forged payroll checks by stealing the information of actual employees and using his knowledge of accounting to create counterfeit checks.
2. Two precipitating factors in Frank’s home life that may have led him to his early life in crime:
   • Frank’s parents’ messy and emotional divorce caused him a great deal of psychological stress and led him to run away from home, seeking a way to escape his feelings of abandonment and loss.
   • His father’s extravagant lifestyle and constant promises of wealth and success created unrealistic expectations for Frank, pushing him to find ways to live up to those ideals through illegal means.
3. Why did the airlines have such a difficult time catching and prosecuting Frank for impersonating a pilot and forging payroll checks?
   • The airlines were not set up with proper verification systems, which allowed Frank to exploit gaps in identity confirmation. His ability to convince others that he was a legitimate pilot and the fact that he flew on deadhead tickets (unpaid seats for airline staff) made it difficult for airlines to detect him. Additionally, his charm and confidence in impersonating authority figures helped him maintain his façade.
4. How did Frank cheat on the Louisiana State Bar Exam?
   • Frank impersonated a lawyer by posing as a Harvard Law graduate, even though he had no formal legal education. He took the Louisiana State Bar Exam under this false identity, passing it with ease because of his ability to forge documents and manipulate people’s perception of his qualifications.
5. Do you believe that Frank choosing who he had to live with post his parent’s divorce started his criminal lifestyle? Why or why not?
   • Yes, I believe Frank’s decision to live with his father after the divorce did influence his criminal path. His father’s promises of wealth and success, paired with his father’s own problematic life choices, set a dangerous precedent for Frank. The financial instability, emotional confusion, and abandonment he felt fueled his desire to escape reality through crime.
6. True or False: Frank did not start his criminal lifestyle until he was into his early twenties.
   • False. Frank began his criminal activities as a teenager, starting with minor cons and escalating to more serious crimes, like forging checks and impersonating professionals, before he was even 20 years old.
7. True or False: Throughout the movie, Frank appeared to have a stronger relationship with his father than his mother.
   • True. Frank had a much stronger emotional attachment to his father, who represented an idealized version of success and freedom. The relationship with his mother was less strong, especially after the divorce, with Frank feeling more betrayed by her.
8. How did Frank get money throughout the movie without depositing checks into a bank account?
   • Frank avoided depositing checks into a bank account by cashing them at various businesses or by using fake identification to trick people into believing he was legitimate. He knew how to manipulate banking systems to convert his forged checks into cash without raising suspicion.
9. Even though Frank posed as an adult throughout the film, how was his actual age demonstrated through his actions? Give two examples and explain why.
   • Frank’s immaturity was evident in his impulsive behavior, such as when he sought out the companionship of a stewardess, which reflected his desire for affection and stability, despite his outward appearance of confidence. Another example was when Frank was caught trying to live a double life, showcasing that, despite his successful cons, he was still emotionally and mentally a teenager who had not fully matured.
10. How many Federal Reserve banks are there? How did Frank use this to his advantage?
    • There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks in the United States. Frank took advantage of the different jurisdictions of these banks by using his forged checks to exploit gaps in the system, allowing him to forge documents in one region and cash them in another without immediate detection.
11. Why do you believe Carl took such a personal interest in catching Frank?
    • Carl took a personal interest in catching Frank because he saw Frank as a reflection of his own life. Carl admired Frank’s intelligence and saw a bit of himself in Frank’s charisma and ability to deceive. As Carl tracked Frank across the country, his pursuit became almost a game, where catching Frank was not just about duty but also about personal redemption and finding meaning in his own work.