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Education & Outreach

Welcome to the Department of Corporations' Office of Education & Outreach web site. Our programs and resources are designed to protect California consumers from becoming victims of investment and financial fraud. Please don't hesitate to call our toll-free consumer resource center at 1-866-ASK-CORP (1-866-275-2677) to speak with trained specialists with any questions or concerns, or information about financial scams.

Education & Outreach Resources Page




PROGRAMS

SAIF Logo SAIF (Seniors Against Investment Fraud)
SAIF is statewide outreach campaign that alerts and educates all Californians over the age of 50 about investment and telemarketing fraud crimes and how to avoid being victimized.




TAPS Logo California TAP$ (Troops Against Predatory Scams)
The California TAP$ program educates California's military troops on how to avoid becoming the victim of financial and investment fraud.




EVENTS

Find events presented by, or in association with, the Education and Outreach Program in our Event Calendar.

E&O What's New
  • Notice of Recent California Law Changes Designed to Protect Military Members and their Families - This notice provides a summary of recent California legislation signed by the Governor to help protect military members and their families from unlawful activities in connection with certain loans and financial services provided by persons licensed under laws administered by the Department of Corporations.
  • FSI Fraud Scene Investigator - Fighting crime can teach you a lot. No matter how convincing a scam’s sales pitch may sound, there is always something that just doesn’t feel right. Join our hero Kim as she digs out the truth about a million dollar investment scam. Along the way you’ll discover more about companies, stock reports, investments and white collar crime.
  • Nontraditional Mortgage and Loan Information - Find information about non-traditional mortgage and loan products. Learn more about how these products work in order to decide if they may be right for you.
  • Financial Literacy — Find documents, glossary of terms, links, and other Financial Literacy resources.
  • SAIF Booklet - Complete - Protect Yourself from Investment Fraud — Contains helpful information regarding the SAIF Program and other useful tools to assist you in making investment decisions. Includes all the sections listed below. [pdf]
  • California Housing and Community Development — Consumer Home Mortgage Information: Find tips for home buyers before you purchase, important links, and other resources to help you avoid common pitfalls that can effect every current and future home owner.

FTC - Business Opportunities     FTC - Business Opportunities

Audio Casts

Affinity Fraud - Length: 2.26
Affinity Fraud occurs when someone takes advantage of shared characteristics in order to scam a member of a community for financial gain.

Bait and Switch - Length: 1:57
Unscrupulous sales agents or con artists will use a bait and switch scheme to get a 'foot in the door' by promising sky high returns.

Charity Scams - Length: 1:20
After a well publicized tragedy, such as an earthquake or hurricane, con artists often try to take advantage of the generosity of others wanting to help.

Bogus Credentials - Length: 1:04
Some sales people will try to create the impression that they have special education or expertise on a certain topic. 

Foreign Letter Fraud - Length: 1:28
This is a common practice in which a person will receive a letter or email from a foreign government "official," asking for assistance in moving money out of the country.

Free Lunch Seminar - Length: 2:01
Seminar sales people offer a "free lunch," but are often times trying to sell you fraudulent investments to replace your existing investments with something risky and unsuitable. They may also fail to disclose fees or other relevant information.

End of Life Issues - Length: 1:07
If you need to prepare or revise your will, living trust, or estate or other tax-related documents be sure those documents comply with California laws and meet your needs and desires for those you leave behind.

Home Repair/Furnace Fraud - Length: 108
Door-to-door offers for "great deals" are not always so great!  You may end up getting inadequate repairs that are not up to code or charged for unnecessary products. 

Distraction Burglary - Length: 1:20
Sometimes con artists will impersonate utility, government or commercial representatives to gain access to your house, cash or personal property.  Always verify the legitimacy of someone entering your home!

Multicultural Language Documents
CONSUMER EDUCATION

Want to "be your own boss," "work from home," or just "make extra money"? Then you may be tempted by an ad for a business opportunity. Before you open your checkbook, check out the offer. Here's consumer protection information from the California Department of Corporations, in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission, on franchise and business opportunity scams. Learn more. (Consumer Education)