DoBS Investor Education and Outreach Events

<i>Informative presentations taught Pennsylvanians how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.</i></p>\r\n<p><b>Harrisburg, PA –</b> In 2024, financial education, protection and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) reached nearly 35,000 consumers across the Commonwealth through 279 group presentations and community events, both in-person and virtual.</p>\r\n<p>DoBS outreach staff work with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to schedule and host events that help Pennsylvanians make well-informed investment decisions.</p>\r\n<p>“Many people don’t realize that while the Department of Banking and Securities regulates Pennsylvania’s financial services industry, we also work to ensure consumers of all ages learn how to protect and grow their money,” said <b>DoBS Secretary Wendy Spicher</b>. “Our very experienced outreach staff​ travel the Commonwealth to provide a variety of programs and tools to help people invest wisely and avoid fraud. In fact, two of our presentations – Fraud Bingo and $camJam – have been nationally recognized and are now used by other states.”</p>\r\n<p>Programs and presentations are free, non-commercial, and customizable for an audience’s needs and each program offers a unique and fun twist to learning about the financial industry. In addition to Fraud Bingo and $camJam, some other popular programs include Avoiding ID Theft, Making $ense of Finance, Investing 101, and Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them.</p>\r\n<p>“Our team is either online or on-the-road giving presentations to all levels of experience and age groups, from high school students, to working adults, to military and veterans groups, to retirees and senior citizens,” said <b>Christina Kotsalos, director of the Financial Education, Protection and Outreach Office</b>. “We strive to teach Pennsylvanian consumers how to protect their money in an engaging and informative way.”</p>\r\n<p>Learn more about the free, <a href=\"https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dobs/programs.html\">non-commercial programs and presentation available</a>, or <a href=\"https://www.pa.gov/en/services/dobs/schedule-a-department-of-banking---securities-presentation-or-outreach-event.html\">contact us to request a program tailored to your specific needs</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Visit the department's calendar of events to <a href=\"https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dobs/calendar.html#sortCriteria=%40copapwpstartdate%20descending\">find an event near you</a>. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email <a href=\"mailto:informed@pa.gov\">informed@pa.gov</a> for more information.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p><b>MEDIA CONTACT: </b>Joan Z. Nissley, <a href=\"mailto:jnissley@pa.gov\">jnissley@pa.gov</a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"># # #&nbsp;<br>\r\n <br>\r\n </p>\r\n"}}">

Informative presentations taught Pennsylvanians how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.

Harrisburg, PA – In 2024, financial education, protection and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) reached nearly 35,000 consumers across the Commonwealth through 279 group presentations and community events, both in-person and virtual.

DoBS outreach staff work with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to schedule and host events that help Pennsylvanians make well-informed investment decisions.

“Many people don’t realize that while the Department of Banking and Securities regulates Pennsylvania’s financial services industry, we also work to ensure consumers of all ages learn how to protect and grow their money,” said DoBS Secretary Wendy Spicher. “Our very experienced outreach staff​ travel the Commonwealth to provide a variety of programs and tools to help people invest wisely and avoid fraud. In fact, two of our presentations – Fraud Bingo and $camJam – have been nationally recognized and are now used by other states.”

Programs and presentations are free, non-commercial, and customizable for an audience’s needs and each program offers a unique and fun twist to learning about the financial industry. In addition to Fraud Bingo and $camJam, some other popular programs include Avoiding ID Theft, Making $ense of Finance, Investing 101, and Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them.

“Our team is either online or on-the-road giving presentations to all levels of experience and age groups, from high school students, to working adults, to military and veterans groups, to retirees and senior citizens,” said Christina Kotsalos, director of the Financial Education, Protection and Outreach Office. “We strive to teach Pennsylvanian consumers how to protect their money in an engaging and informative way.”

Learn more about the free, non-commercial programs and presentation available, or contact us to request a program tailored to your specific needs.

Visit the department's calendar of events to find an event near you. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email informed@pa.gov for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Z. Nissley, jnissley@pa.gov

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