>> Production funding and educational outreach for Biz Kids is provided by a coalition of America's Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money.

A complete list of individual credit union funders is available at wxxi.org.

>> Every day, America's credit unions help members with their financial needs and with programs like Invest in America.

It's only fitting that credit unions support Biz Kids because financial education is what we do.

Learn more at lovemycreditunion.org.

>> Space, the big frontier.

These are the voyages of the USS Free Enterprise.

Our five-year, ten-month mission-- to pursue a course of financial responsibility.

Captain's Log.

Stardate: Tuesday.

We are currently in pursuit of a starfreighter captain we met while stopping at a space station.

We gave him 50 credits to pay the parking meter for us, and he disappeared without paying.

>> Long-range sensors indicate that there is no sign of the vessel, sir.

>> Analysis, Stock.

How could this happen?

>> Obviously the freighter captain did not plan on paying the parking meter for us.

>> But why, Stock?

What does it mean?

>> Logic would indicate we have become the victims of a con.

>> A con?

>> A con?

>> A con?

>> A con?

>> A con?

>> Highly illogical.

>> A con, lad?

>> A con?

>> A con?

>> Con!

>> Highly illogical.

>> Captain, Captain?

>> A con?

>> ♪ When making money is the aim ♪ These kids they bring their game ♪ They're the Biz Kids can you dig it ♪ They know what's up and let you know ♪ Just how to make that dough ♪ They're the Biz Kids right on ♪ They'll learn a little more about bringing money through the door ♪ They're the Biz Kids right on.

♪ >> Brought to you by scams, schemes, and everything in between.

Don't blow your dough.

>> So you saved up some money.

Where do you keep it?

>> And is it safe?

And I don't mean from this.

>> There are people out there that are trying to get to your money.

People like con artists, schemers, swindlers, phishers, even little brothers.

>> No joke.

So how do you keep your money safe?

>> Some people put it in a piggybank.

That works, but there's always a threat.

( alarm sounding ) >> Mom...!

>> Really, there is no perfectly safe place to keep your money, although some places are a lot safer than others.

Like, if you have a lot of money, you should probably put it into a savings account.

>> Not only does that help protect your money, but it also pays you interest so you make even more money.

And besides, think of how it will be for your money once it's in the bank.

>> It's empty?

Empty?

What kind of a piggybank is empty?

>> I think some person took the money.

Who do you think it was?

>> And now the adventures of Penelope Pig.

>> There's almost nothing left in her!

>> You have conned me.

>> No, I didn't.

>> We will now demonstrate how a savings account protects your money better than a piggybank.

>> Right.

This piggybank has six dollars and 42 cents in it.

This savings account has 138 dollars and 91 cents in it.

And this hammer demonstrates everyone that's trying to get at your money.

Like the bad guys or your older brother looking for lunch money.

>> Now observe what happens.

>> Your account still has all 138 dollars and 91 cents.

Not only has it created quite a mess, but you may find that some of your money is gone.

>> So the savings account is definitely a safer option, especially if you have a bigger sum of money.

Sorry about the piggybank, Devon.

That didn't... sorry.

Sorry.

>> Kaelon, that's not my piggybank.

>> Has anyone seen my piggybank?

Who took my piggybank?

>> One of the most important things I know is how to spot a good business investment.

>> That's right, dude.

>> Brian, don't interrupt.

>> I'm sorry.

You're going to have to call me Capitalist Brian.

>> What are you talking about?

>> I'm going to be rich with my new friends I met on the Internet.

I'm going to be part owner of a gold mine.

>> Brian, all that glitters isn't gold.

>> What do you mean?

>> You didn't give them any personal information, did you?

>> Just my account number.

They're my partners.

>> Brian, check your account.

>> Wait, dude!

Where's my money going?

Stop!

>> How'd you know it was a scam?

>> Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is, Brian.

I know business.

That's why I'm Capitalist Peg.

>> You know, if it is too good to be true, usually it is.

My name's Joe and I was the victim of a con.

Here's a false revenue sheet, statement, emails that were created fake.

Everybody wants to trust everyone, because it would make the world a lot better.

But the reality of things is, you know, in relation to money, don't trust everybody.

This is a fake check.

It's not worth the paper it's written on.

I was approached with this business deal from a friend.

I'd known him probably six or eight months at the time.

He seemed to be, you know, a trustworthy person.

He came to me one day and he was like, "Hey, I've got this business idea.

I've been working over, you know, all the fine points of it, and I want to see if you're interested in, you know, joining it.

I'll pay you salary.

You know, you invest a little money with me and get the business going, and you'll make a lot of money in the long run."

At the time, I didn't really have any red flags about it.

It seemed okay.

And he seemed really knowledgeable about what he was talking about.

It seemed pretty legit.

Things started to look a little bit suspicious when he didn't make payments on the loan.

He avoided my phone calls.

Pretty hard to find him and pin him down on anything.

Fake 1040s, fake checks he had written, cars he said he possessed.

It turned out to be a completely fake business and I ended up losing $6,000.

Fake emails from other companies, more projected income statements-- just a big scam.

Eventually he wrote me a really small check which I figured was probably bad.

This is what a fake check looks like.

Notice that it looks exactly like a real check.

However, there are no funds in a bank to back it up.

I was supposed to get loan payments.

He defaulted on them.

I never got any salary.

And eventually he kind of just disappeared, and nobody saw him again.

>> And this guy's his friend?

>> No, wait.

It gets better, too.

>> Oh, really?

Okay.

>> I had a few occurrences with my credit cards.

He had all my information-- you know, my name, Social Security number, address, everything, pretty much, you need to get a credit card.

He actually did get a credit card and rang up over $2,000.

Just a thief.

All kinds.

>> Okay, so this guy spent all that time making a fake business when he could have used all that time and energy making a real, legitimate business.

>> Obviously not a Biz Kid.

>> No.

>> Hey, Biz Kids, watch out for cons and scams.

>> Calling motorcycle 142.

Be on the lookout for cons.

>> ( snoring ) >> Flim flammers, con artists, shysters, travelers, scammers.

They are extremely aggressive and should be approached... >> Oh, Gus, I need your help.

I've lost my money and I'm afraid I've lost it to scammers, schemers, and flim flammers.

>> Flim flammers?

>> Flam flimmers?

>> Did you put your money in a safe place?

>> Oh, that's right.

I put it in a savings account.

Oh Gus, how can I ever... >> I tried to sell that 24- volume encyclopedia of birds that Gillis talked me into buying.

>> Fake hair cream.

>> Remember how I tried to unload that antique vase from a lost civilization that's said... >> Space suit is counter- balanced... >> Riley, those were white elephants you were trying to sell.

>> Hoodwink.

>> Con.

>> Scam.

>> Scam.

>> Swindle.

All this talking is making me think about... what's the word?

>> Scam?

>> Con?

>> Flim Flam?

>> Swindle?

>> Yeah!

And the kind of people who fall for those things are called... what's the word?

>> Stooge?

>> Sap.

>> Sucker?

>> Patsy?

>> Chump?

>> Yes.

But what you really want to be is called a... >> Nobody's fool.

>> Ah, yeah!

>> Spoken like a true Biz Kid.

>> Hello.

Financial Genius here.

Every day, all around you, people are trying to take your money.

That's right.

Hustlers, con artists, grifters, scammers, cheaters, chiselers, hosers, bilkers, shucking jivers.

Losers in general.

And the ways you can be scammed are always changing.

But some things never change.

You've got to be careful with your money.

Check people out.

Do some research.

Don't give people your hard-earned money just because they seem nice.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, I'm not done!

>> Some scams are presented as games, games of chance.

But they're not.

They're games of skill.

And the skill belongs to the person running the game.

And you?

You don't stand a chance.

>> A little game with three shells called the three-shell game.

The idea is to bet or guess where you think the pea is.

So far it's fairly easy.

It only becomes more difficult when you add a few more moves.

Because you know that the pea should be over here, but really, it's here.

We'll do that again.

This time we'll add another move or so.

And you know that the pea should either be here, possibly there, but certainly not over here.

One more time.

This time with one pea, and two shells and a glass, making it all a bit more difficult.

The old switcheroo.

And you know for sure that the pea should be here.

But never bet on a sure thing.

Because you're going to lose.

Biz Kids, beware.

Anybody want to place a bet?

>> Ah, I wasn't ready.

>> Grow new hair!

>> It seems like every day somebody wants Zib's money.

Some offers are legit.

Others not so legit.

Zib is careful with his money.

>> What's wrong, dear?

>> Oh Mama, I gave the man on the phone my bank card number and he took all my money.

>> Sweet!

Pizza.

Can I have a slice?

>> Heck, yeah!

>> Where'd you get this?

>> There's tons of it.

Dude, I signed up for this Pizza House club deal and they gave me all this for a penny.

>> A penny?

>> Yeah.

>> That's not possible.

>> Yeah it is.

Dude, you just sign up and they give you all this pizza.

>> Okay.

Austin, let's think about this.

There's got to be a catch.

How are they going to make money selling pizza for a penny?

>> I don't know.

Volume?

>> Okay, let me see the agreement.

Do you have an agreement?

>> Yeah, yeah.

Look.

Four pizzas for a penny.

>> Dude, have you read any of this?

>> Just chill and eat some pizza, man.

>> Hey, are you guys Austin?

>> Yeah, yeah, that's me.

>> Hey, I have your next Pizza House delivery right here.

>> I didn't order these.

>> Yeah, you did.

It says club members will receive a new delivery every hour.

>> Every hour?

How am I going to eat all this?

>> You're breaking my heart, kid.

It's going to be $75.

>> $75?

The first four were a penny.

>> That was the introductory price.

>> I think that's $75.

>> Well, I'll see you in an hour.

Thanks.

>> You were right.

They're crooks.

>> Crooks?

No, no, no.

They're just doing what the agreement says.

Don't get mad at them if you >> Oh, how am I going to get out of this?

>> I haven't been a victim of a con or a scam, but I've certainly been targeted like every other consumer is.

I receive those emails from the guy in Nigeria who wants help with the ten million dollars that he says he has in an offshore bank account.

I receive phishing emails that appear to be from my bank but really aren't.

You know, the notices that I've won the lottery.

I'm Rob McKenna.

I'm Washington State's Attorney General.

My job is to oversee all of the legal services that are provided to the state of Washington, and also to represent the people of this state in defending, upholding our state constitution and all of our state laws.

Kids can become victims of all the cons and scams that are aimed at adults, too.

>> Come on, kids.

Look at this face.

I wouldn't scam you.

Come on.

You can trust me.

>> For example, identity theft where someone takes your social security number, your checking account number and other information, and uses it to get your money or to open a new credit card account in your name.

>> Just give me your info.

Everybody does.

>> The most important thing we can do to protect ourselves from financial fraud is to be very careful with our personal information.

>> Really, trust me.

Just give me your Social Security number and your birth date.

>> Don't provide your personal information to anyone over the phone or over the Internet or by mail unless it's someone you've already been doing business with, someone you actually know.

Your bank, your credit card company and others, they're not going to ask you for that information.

They already have it.

You provided it to them when you opened your account.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

If they call you and tell you you've won the lottery or you've been selected to win a special prize, you need to be very, very skeptical and never ever provide money to them when they ask for it, because it will almost certainly be a scam.

>> You're going to be rich.

Rich, I tell you.

Just send me $1,000, and I'll send you one million back.

>> The Con Brothers present: Don't Blow Your Dough.

>> ♪ I'm a Biz Kid I sizzle in the wind ♪ And all these scams make my head spin ♪ A Biz Kid's gotta stay wise to scammers, schemers and these crazy guys >> ♪ I'm a schemer I'm working on schemes ♪ To steal your money is my only dream ♪ And make your finances a nightmare ♪ I'm a scammer, dude I don't even care.

♪ You want free ringtones on the Internet ♪ Now you've unknowingly signed a contract.

♪ Or how about five CDs for a penny ♪ But the fine print says it costs a trillion pennies ♪ Scams, schemes and flim flams ♪ We're here to get your finances in a big jam ♪ And rub marmalade on your bank account ♪ That's what scams are all about ♪ We're lurking in the shadows or hiding in the shrubs ♪ We're trying to get your... >> Now, wait a minute.

What do you mean you replaced the battery?

I brought that car in to fix a flat!

Oh, really?

Oh, the battery clamps are corroded?

That doesn't mean the battery is bad.

I'm onto you, mister.

>> This kind of stuff happens all the time.

These guys are trying to sell her a battery she doesn't need.

And there are dozens of car repair schemes out there.

You've really got to be on your toes to avoid getting ripped off.

Now remember, don't be afraid to ask questions.

And don't pay for any repairs you haven't authorized.

And lastly, if you know you're right, don't back down.

>> No, you listen to me, buddy.

You're going to put my old battery back, because it wasn't bad.

And if you don't, I'm going to ( bleep ).

This guy is definitely not a Biz Kid.

Yeah, that's right ( bleep ) buddy.

>> This is Troy up in Action Ten Chopper with your traffic... >> Grandpa, what's that?

>> It's prairie dog repellent.

Oh, you've got to put some on.

Thank God I ran into that salesman.

>> Prairie dog repellent?

>> Yeah.

>> Grandpa, he was a huckster!

You spent our grocery money on this?

>> Well, what good are groceries if you're getting attacked by prairie dogs?

>> Grandpa, you have to be more careful with money.

Slick salesmen like that trick you into making bad decisions.

They target old people like you, and kids like me.

Next time, calm down and then think about it.

I'm going to go get our money back.

>> Ah, prairie dog, prairie dog!

>> Sweet!

I just got an email for a free cell phone.

>> Wait!

Don't.

You should never click on links in emails unless you really know the sender.

That could be a trap.

>> A trap?

Like I'm not going to get the cell phone?

>> No, but you probably will get ripped off.

It's called phishing, and you were about to be the fish.

Creeps like that send emails all the time offering free phones, money, travel, all kinds of stuff.

And you usually don't get any of it.

What they really want is your personal information like your bank account number, credit cards, your Social Security number, stuff that they can use to steal your identity or your money.

>> Okay, so how do I know if it's a phish email or a real one that I need?

>> Well, if it sounds fishy, it probably is.

>> Well, they're not going to catch me.

I'm going to call my dad.

>> Another reason not to go for this free cell phone offer.

>> It appears that... >> Some giant hand... >> Ah, prairie dog!

>> I don't get this.

I just checked the balance on my account, and it doesn't make any sense.

There's no way I spent all that money.

I'm sure of it.

>> I've got a bad feeling about this.

>> What do you mean?

>> Yep.

Someone stole your identity.

>> There must be some mistake.

>> Well, I'm willing to bet there is a mistake, but I think you're the one who made it.

Looks like it was a big mistake.

>> What did I do?

>> Did you give away any personal information like your Social Security number, any account number?

>> No way.

>> Think hard.

>> Oh, wait.

I did take a survey.

>> An online survey?

>> There was a prize.

I could win a free cell phone.

You don't think... >> I think there goes your cell phone.

And I'd say the evidence is mounting.

>> Oh, no.

>> Amanda, don't give away your personal information.

Otherwise there's going to be a lot of you out there shopping.

And all of those "yous" are going to be using your account and your money.

>> Do one of you think you could lend me some bus fare?

I've got to get to the bank.

Never mind.

I'll walk.

>> You've got to watch out!

There's a lot of grifters, hucksters, there are people out there that are bad people looking at you and they're waiting for you to do something stupid.

And then they're going to pounce.

Like those guys right over there.

>> I don't see anybody.

>> No, and you didn't see this was about to happen either, huh?

Huh?

>> Hey, give that back, Substitute Teacher.

>> Yeah, yeah.

I'm going to give this back to you but do you think that the people out there would do that?

No!

No!

In real life, they wouldn't.

They'd have your money.

It'd be gone.

Never give your personal information out on the phone or on the Internet.

Oh boy, did I get in trouble with that.

She said she was my friend.

Anyway, the whole thing was just terrible.

The other thing you've got to watch out for is advertising scams.

Like I one time...

I bought an ant farm.

It said ant farm.

It wasn't a farm.

It was just a little box with a few ants in it.

Where's the farm?

>> With this aerosol spray, ma'am, you will be impervious to all bilkers, bonkers, flim... >> Mmm.

My eyes are tired from reading the fine print.

>> You see a lot of fine print these days.

Install a new program on your computer, and here comes the fine print.

So you scroll down and you click on "I Accept" and move on, right?

Well, sometimes you move on.

But sometimes that fine print comes back.

Like if you join a new record club, at first it seems like a great deal.

But then you read the fine print.

And there's all sorts of fine print to watch out for.

If you don't read it, you might agree to automatic monthly billings, additional fees and the sale of personal information.

So the bottom line is if you don't read the little words, you could end up in big trouble.

>> I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to beware of scams, schemes, swindles, flim flams, shams, and trickery.

Always look out for people who will try and dupe you out of your hard-earned money, because believe you me, they are out there.

But how can you protect your money and keep yourself from the risk of being hoodwinked by an unscrupulous scam artist?

Lucky for you I have just written a new book that teaches you how to look out for such scams and schemes.

>> Here's your chance.

Send immediately for Chick Cannery's new book How To Avoid Getting Scammed.

You'd expect to pay thousands of dollars for a book like this, but if you call now, How To Avoid Getting Scammed is yours for just $789.99.

So call now.

Not available in stores.

>> So call that number now, and buy my book quick.

Don't be a sucker.

>> And now it's time for today's Biz Kids Biz Quiz.

If you answered "C," congratulations.

You're a Biz Kid.

>> Hey, dude, what's up?

>> I gave some money to this guy who wanted a contribution for his charity fund, and now I'm looking for it online and I can't find it anywhere.

>> Ah, man!

You think he ripped you off?

>> It looks like it.

It totally seemed like an organization I would have supported, only I don't think it actually exists.

>> Ah, brutal.

What are you going to do now?

>> I don't know.

What can I do?

>> Well, you could call the BBB.

>> The BBB?

>> Yeah, the BBB.

>> The BBB.

>> The BBB.

>> The BBB.

>> The Better Business Bureau.

>> Huh.

>> The Better Business Bureau hears about a lot of scams and frauds in the area.

There are donation scams out there.

There are also puppy scams, Nigerian letter scams, and other types of scams that consumers are receiving via email or over the Internet.

When I say consumer, that means I'm talking to you.

What the BBB tries to do is try to get on top of those scams, learn as much as we can.

We're here for consumers.

All they need to do is call our toll-free number, or they can go online and check the reliability of any organization.

I use the BBB system along with most other consumers to make sure a company is legitimate.

That's why I have never been scammed.

>> Here are other things to watch out for.

>> If a charity or business isn't treating you right or sounds suspicious, you don't have to deal with them.

Don't give cash without an authentic-looking receipt in exchange.

And if they don't clearly tell you how they use your money, ask for written information.

>> If you don't know the group you're dealing with, don't give out personal information on the phone or online.

information anytime, like using strong passwords online.

>> Remember, if you're ever unsure about a situation, make sure to contact the Better Business Bureau.

And always, always, always, read the fine print.

>> Hi.

I'm James.

And I'm not exactly a Biz Kid.

Here's the story.

I was working at a warehouse and they were having trouble with their database.

I went in, I looked at it, and I said, "You know, I think I can do this, two months.

I can get you something that works, It'll be great."

And before I knew it, they had hired me on.

I would get a $38,000 paycheck every four to six months.

Being a 19-year-old and never seeing more than, like, a $200 check at any given time, that was unbelievable.

I spent it all on stupid things-- almost four grand on a Video games, TVs, just the coolest stuff I could think of.

Before we knew it, I had blown through all the money.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I threw it all away, because I just...

I was not planning for the future.

You can buy all sorts of gimmicks, and you can be happy for a brief period of time, but in the long run, just save it.

Because once it's gone, it's gone.

I used to pay people to do this.

>> It's this simple.

If you have money, you have to keep it safe.

>> And sometimes, that means keeping it safe from, well, you.

If you're not disciplined, put it in a place where it's hard for even you to reach.

>> Right.

Hey, do you want something?

I'm about to go get something to eat.

>> Oh, let me get my wallet.

Oh, right.

>> I'm impressed.

>> Yeah.

Okay, um... maybe it's not that one.

Wait, all right.

>> Hey, listen.

If this is going to take a long time I can cover you.

>> Oh, no, no, no.

I got it, just hold on.

Hold that real quick.

Um... >> A little game of three-card monte, played with three cards, two of which are the same, one of which is odd.

This is known as a money card or the monte card.

The cards are tossed around on the table.

And then you guess where you think the queen should be.

The game is totally under control of the operator, or the monte tosser, sometimes known as the dealer.

In fact, sometimes they'll give you an advantage by actually bending the corner of the odd card.

You know it can't be this card, it's got to be that one because of the corner bent.

And yet, when the cards are tossed, and you bet on what you know must be where the queen is, it's not.

>> Hey, do you know a successful business?

>> Maybe you're a Biz Kid.

Got some video?

We want to see it.

>> So check out bizkids.com to find out all the details, and maybe we'll see you on the show.

>> Yeah, like us.

>> What's so special about us?

>> We're on TV.

>> Does make us pretty special.

>> Yeah.

>> Just check out the Web site, because if you're a Biz Kid, we want to hear from you.

>> Production funding and educational outreach for Biz Kids is provided by a coalition of America's credit unions, where people are worth more than money.

A complete list of individual credit union funders is available at wxxi.org.

>> Every day, America's credit unions help members with their financial needs and with programs like Invest in America.

It's only fitting that credit unions support Biz Kids because financial education is what we do.

Learn more at lovemycreditunion.org.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org