HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) significantly expanded its financial education and outreach efforts in 2024, connecting with nearly 35,000 consumers through 279 group presentations and community events across the Commonwealth. The initiative aimed to equip Pennsylvanians with the knowledge needed to make informed investment decisions and avoid financial fraud.
“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.”
DoBS outreach staff partnered with state and local government agencies, schools, community organizations, trade groups, and the military to host both virtual and in-person events. These free, non-commercial presentations were tailored to meet the needs of diverse audiences, including students, working adults, veterans, and retirees.
Programs such as Avoiding ID Theft, Making $ense of Finance, Investing 101, and Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them offered engaging ways to learn about the financial industry. Two highlights of the educational lineup, Fraud Bingo and $camJam, received national recognition for their innovative approaches to teaching fraud prevention.
“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.”
With its robust programming, DoBS continues to strengthen the financial literacy of Pennsylvanians and protect them from fraudulent activities. For more information on scheduling or attending a program, contact the department by emailing informed@pa.gov or calling 1-800-PA-BANKS. Visit the department’s calendar of events to find an event near you.
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