Unit 5 Protecting Your Money Starting on p. 59

What Do You Think? Complete the “What Do You Think?” activity on p. 60

What Do You Think? Answers: 1. 55% 2. 17%, 64% 3. 13%, 55% 4. 13% 5. 36%

Exercise 5C p. 62 Complete this activity according to the instructions

Benefits of Using a Checking Account Convenience. If you use checks, you don’t always have to have cash before making a purchase. And you shouldn’t send cash through the mail, just checks, to pay bills. Also, you can usually access your checking account by using your debit card at an ATM.

Benefits of Using a Checking Account Easier Budgeting. A checking account can also help you budget your money. When you use your check register to record whom you wrote checks to, you’re automatically keeping track of where your money is going; making it easier to evaluate your spending habits. bad check.

Benefits of Using a Checking Account Safety. You don ﾕ t have to carry a big wad of cash when you go shopping. Also, stolen checks can be replaced. Lost or stolen cash cannot-it is, simply, gone.

Benefits of Using a Checking Account Proof of Payment. Checks provide written proof that you made a payment to someone or a business. Each time you write a check that ultimately clears your account (when the money is taken from your account and added to the payee’s account), there will be several records of it making it easier to prove that you did in fact make a payment, should anyone ever challenge you about it.

Exercise 5D page 65 Complete the check book activity now

Be Aware Fee’s Are Everywhere! Figure 5-1 Read through these examples, not being aware of these can mean loosing money

Tips for Keeping Your Checking Account Secure Always write checks in ink Once you endorse a check (sign the back) ANYONE can cash it! Keep unused checks in a safe place Check your statement every month, check for errors

How to Use a Debit Card Wisely Memorize your pin number-DON’T write it on the card or carry with your card Record purchases etc. in your check register immediately Sign your card or print “Ask for ID” to protect it against fraudulent use Keep receipts Use your bank/credit union’s ATM, to avoid excess fees Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM Report lost/stolen cards immediately

Victims of Fraud Having a credit card or checking account opened in your name Signature forgery Filing bankruptcy under your name, after maxing out cards in your name Buying a car in your name Getting ID’s with your information, their picture Giving your name to the police during an arrest changing a billing address on your credit card or changing your mailing address at the post office to re-route fraudulent bills

Debit Cards Looks like a credit card, but instead of providing a line of credit, deducts from your checking account, as a check would

Don’t Leave a Paper Trail Avoid The Following: Throwing out bank/credit card statements and pre-approved credit card offers Skimming-letting someone swipe your card out of your sight; could be a personal reading device Giving out information over the telephone…most places won’t call asking for your information

Safety On The Internet Phishing: Anyone asking you to provide/update your information over ; use a company’s phone number to verify anything Freeware/spyware: free software that can be used to track settings and information on your hard drive

Scenario Discussion Page 74