flim flam

     One type of fraud made easier by modern technology is the good old-fashioned flim flam. You have probably noticed that a modern cash register quickly shows the amount of change to be given. Older cash registers displayed only the amount of sale, and the cashier made the change while looking at that amount. The flim flam artist counts on being able to confuse the clerk or cashier as to which is the amount of the sale or purchase, and which is the correct amount of change. If a flim flam artist spends thirteen or fourteen dollars, for instance, the amount of change should be five or six dollars and change. The flim flam artist wants the clerk to give him or her the amount of purchase instead--thirteen or fourteen dollars and change--so the flim flammer makes a profit, including what he or she has bought, of about eight to ten dollars--every time, in all kinds of stores, all over the country. That's a lot of money.