Students will:
- Understand the importance of thinking before calling toll numbers.
- Understand that some numbers are designed as money-makers, not public services.
- Understand that phone scams can be very expensive.
- Understand the value of reading small print.
- Identify negative consequences of frequent use of telephone scams.
- Model successful use of phone scams.
Step 1: Lesson Introduction
Calling all suckers??? That could be what your students would be considered if they spent a lot of money calling telephone scams. Ask students if they or someone they know has ever called a phone scam. (Try to steer this clear of the sex lines often associated with this business.) What happened when they called? How long did they talk? How much was the phone bill? Was it more than expected? Did they get in trouble over the cost? Ask students to discuss the pros and cons of making the phone call. Also, try to get them to clarify when it is okay and not okay to call these numbers. In today’s video, we’ll see the financial problems associated with scams and why those who call them have trouble being effective money managers.
▶️ Show the video.
⏸️ Stop the video when the “Pause for Discussion” title appears on the screen.
Step 2: Guided Discussion, Part 1
What did Debbie and Helen do that was NotSmart?
Debbie called a psychic hotline believing that Psychic Wally could help her with her love life. She was amazed to discover the psychic knew her boyfriend watched TV and liked sports. (DUH!!! Don’t most guys?) Then she got her roommate Helen involved in the call and the two spent hours on the phone with Psychic Wally. Needless to say, when the phone bill arrived, the two were hysterical and did not know what to do. Their solution? Call Psychic Wally!
What happened because Debbie and Helen were NotSmart?
They ran up a $384.12 telephone bill they could not possibly afford. Then when they went to get Psychic Wally’s help, they discovered their phone had been disconnected.
How could Debbie and Helen have been MoneySmart?
Have students discuss how Debbie and Helen could have been MoneySmart in the same situation. Watch the next part of the video to see one way Debbie and Helen could have been MoneySmart.
▶️ Start the video again.
⏸️ Stop the video when the “Pause for Discussion” title appears on the screen.
Step 3: Guided Discussion, Part 2
How were Debbie and Helen MoneySmart this time?
When Debbie decided to call the psychic line, Helen told her it was too expensive and phony. She said she tried it once and she was on hold for a long time. She also said they make it sound like they really know you but they don t. Helen suggested Debbie call a friend or talk to her instead, which is exactly what Debbie did.
What happened because Debbie and Helen were MoneySmart?
Debbie and Helen avoided a huge phone bill by not calling the psychic. Instead, they talked to each other, which was probably beneficial to their friendship and not detrimental to their pocketbooks.
What can we learn from this?
- Recognize telephone scams are designed to make money.
- Avoid calling unknown numbers.
Step 4: Activities
Have students create a MoneySmart notebook (See p. 10). In this book, have them write down
their personal plan regarding telephone scams. It can be included under Dos and Don’ts or Financial Fitness.
Have students role-play the NotSmart and MoneySmart vignettes from the video, then discuss how they feel.
Have students write slogans regarding phone scam numbers and design posters with the slogans on them. Post these.
For homework, have students look for scams online, on tv, or on the radio. Have them log the products/services and the costs involved. Share these in class.
Have students identify, either orally or in writing, the negative consequences of calling these scams.
Have students create a wall chart about the dangers of telephone scams.