Lesson
Recognizing Scams & Fraud
Summary
That $200 stranger on Venmo isn't a lucky break — it's bait. This lesson trains students to spot common scams, decode red flags, and run every suspicious offer through a three-question test before they act.
Bellringer: The Venmo Trap
- Project the unexpected $200 Venmo + roommate text scenario.
- Have students vote: send it back or not?
Instruction
- Walk through scam types one slide at a time — phishing, tech support, prize, impersonation, charity, scholarship.
- Land on the 3-Question Test as the takeaway framework.
Activity: Consumer Smarts Game
- Students play Consumer Smarts, then finish vocab and posttest.
- Circulate and flag scam-decision moments as they arise.
Discussion: How Did It Go?
- Debrief gameplay decisions using the 3-Question Test.
- Connect in-game red flags to real-world experiences.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What's one scam type you'd recognize now that you might have fallen for before?
- Before clicking on a link from your "bank," what do you check first?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The Venmo Trap |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 22 min | Activity: Consumer Smarts Game |
|
| 5 min | Discussion: How Did It Go? |
|
| 3 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Consumer Smarts
Students play as a high school student making smart spending decisions to save money for a big purchase.
Consumer Smarts Vocab Practice
Run through common terms associated with Consumer Smarts
Consumer Smarts Posttest
Assess student learning after completing the Consumer Smarts simulation.
Class Presentation
Includes a 15-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 2: Consumer Skills
Comparison Shopping
It pays to be a smart consumer. This lesson introduces comparison shopping skills, discusses time vs. money tradeoffs, and externalities that go beyond a price tag.
Marketing Tactics
Every purchase you make is the result of someone selling you a feeling, not just a product. This lesson uncovers the psychology and tactics marketers use to trigger spending and equips students to spot influence before they buy.
Recognizing Scams & Fraud
That $200 stranger on Venmo isn't a lucky break — it's bait. This lesson trains students to spot common scams, decode red flags, and run every suspicious offer through a three-question test before they act.
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