While you might feel savvy when it comes to recognizing scams, what about your parents and grandparents? What might they do if they get a call from “you” saying you need help?

Two Cents’ video, Don’t Fall For These Brand New Scams, looks at how scammers are using sophisticated technology to instill fear amongst older generations by posing as their younger family members needing immediate help. Students will learn more about these scams and how to protect themselves - and their family members - against these malicious scams.

Questions:

• What are some signs that a text, email, or call might be a scam?
• What evidence does the video provide that contradicts the stereotype that only older people fall victim to scams?
• Why do you think scammers focus so much on creating strong emotions like fear or urgency instead of just asking directly for money?
• The video recommends three steps: slow down, verify, and talk to someone. Which step do you think is the most important—and which is the hardest to follow in real life?
• How can students play a role in protecting parents or grandparents from scams?

Supplement this video with additional resources from NGPF’s Consumer Skills Unit!

• Activity: PLAY: Spot the Scam Signs
• Lesson: Scams and Fraud

About the Author

Sonia Dalal

Sonia has always been passionate about instruction and improving students' learning experiences. She's come a long way since her days as a first grader, when she would "teach" music and read to her very attentive stuffed animals after school. Since then, she has taught students as a K-12 tutor, worked in several EdTech startups in the Bay Area, and completed her Ed.M in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about bringing the high quality personal finance content and instruction she wished she'd received in school to the next generation of students and educators. When she isn't crafting lesson guides or working with teachers, Sonia loves to spend her time singing, being outdoors, and adventuring with family and friends!

More posts by Sonia