Fighting financial fraud

Fun online game contains serious message

When it comes to realizing they’re being scammed, it seems teenagers aren’t necessarily any more savvy than their grandparents. That’s the conclusion reached by the New Brunswick Securities Commission (NBSC).

“They share pin numbers and passwords and are unaware of the signs of fraud,” explains Marissa Rignanesi, NBSC’s education co-ordinator.

In response, the crown corporation, which regulates the securities industry, runs programs and visits schools, educating kids about smart money management. Its most recent innovation is Fraud Scene Investigator. It’s an online interactive comic book adventure telling the story of a teenager investigating a fraudulent nvestment firm that seems to be scamming her grandmother. The game, launched March 26 to cap off Fraud Prevention Month, helps students understand an investment account statement and financial statements, identify investing terms, describe consumer fraud tactics, and research an investment firm or individual financial dealer or advisor. It’s aimed at 15 to 22 year-olds with particular relevance to the grades 10 and 11 curricula.

The game is based on a program created by members of the North American Securities Administrators Association in West Virginia. Local designers and programmers adapted it for a New Brunswick setting.

To promote Fraud Scene Investigator, kits were sent to all schools, colleges and universities in New Brunswick and, in keeping with the target audience, there’s a facebook page and a twitter account associated with it. Although there is a contest running exclusively for New Brunswick students, anyone can visit the website, play the game and, hopefully, pick up a few tips.

By Denise Flint