This week reminds us of the importance of equipping our students with the strategies and tools they need to protect themselves. Here are five of my favorite resources to do just that with your students:

#1 INTERACTIVE (Game): Shady Sam

Welcome your students to their first day of work at Shady Sam's, where their job is to make as much money as possible off the backs of hard-working Americans. How? By issuing loans that make a hefty profit. 

#2 FULL LESSON: Identity Theft

• Identify different types of identity theft, how they can occur, and the impact they can have on your life 
• Understand current trends about identity theft
• Protect your personal information through a variety of preventative measures
• Outline what steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft 

#3 Question of the Day: The most common scams in the U.S. are ______________ (click here to find out).

#4 COMPARE: Overdraft Fees

In this activity, you will practice calculating the overdraft fees associated with major banks’ checking accounts, compare the fees from the different banks, and reflect on some of these key ideas to help you feel prepared when you are selecting your own checking account!

#5 Real-world consumer protection resources:

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: “A U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly.”
• Need materials for your upcoming consumer education event? Order free FTC materials at bulkorder.ftc.gov and from their partners.
• Keep in touch to hear about the latest scams and consumer protection issues. Subscribe to get consumer alerts from the FTC. 
• The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls. Click here to add your phone number to the list.

About the Author

Brian Page

Making a difference in the lives of students through financial capability is Brian’s greatest passion. He comes to NGPF after fifteen years of public school teaching where he was the ‘11 Ohio Department of Education recipient of a Milken National Educator Award, the CEE Forbes Award winner, and a Money Magazine/CNN "Money Hero". He served on the working group for President Obama's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. He has private school experience as a Trustee for the Cincinnati Country Day School and was a past Ohio Jump$tart President. Brian holds a BBA and M.Ed. When Brian isn’t working alongside his NGPF teammates he is likely spending time with his wife, three children, and dog; hiking, or watching Ohio State football.