The star of the FTC's anti-fraud video: fast-talking former scammer

Jim Vitale lived the high life for a while as a con man, until a stint in federal prison helped him see the error of his ways. Now he's on a mission to warn people to avoid people like himself, who peddle bogus business opportunities over the phone and Internet. I finally got around to watching the Federal Trade Commission's anti-fraud video. It's highly produced, punctuated by ominous music and goes on a little long. But it's worth watching for the segments with Vitale, whose gift for persuasion, part honey and part bludgeon, comes across with chilling clarity. Listening to his rapid-fire delivery makes me pity the people unfortunate enough to have found themselves on the phone with him. They didn't stand a chance.