Training Modules

• Banking Basics
  This training series provides a simple introduction to the primary services offered by banks and credit unions, including checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit and debit cards. It also covers opening an account, resolving problems, the options that bank customers have and the decisions they need to make when using bank services.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• California LifeLine
  Universal LifeLine Telephone Service (ULTS), also known as California LifeLine, provides discounts on basic residential and wireless telephone service to eligible low-income households. Consumers who qualify for California LifeLine pay a fraction of the regular cost for telephone connection and monthly telephone service. This brochure explains the features and benefits of Lifeline phone service, how to apply for the program, and what you must do to continue participation.
  
  


• Checking/Savings Accounts
  This module encourages unbanked and underbanked consumers to get checking and savings accounts, and guides them through selecting, opening, using and managing the accounts.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Choosing a Prepaid Card
  The Choosing a Prepaid Card module, which includes a four-page fact sheet, a backgrounder written in question-and-answer format, a slide presentation for group trainings and a companion lesson plan with class activities, helps consumers determine if a prepaid card will meet their needs and, if so, how to compare options and choose the best one. The module offers detailed information about the types of fees that are common on prepaid cards, how to estimate the monthly cost of a card and how to manage the card to reduce or avoid fees. If you are looking for our 2012 module, "Prepaid Cards: An alternative to credit and debit cards,” click here.


• Credit Card Fraud
  This module is designed to help participants to recognize and avoid many forms of fraud that involve credit cards, such as skimming, phishing, ID theft and counterfeit cards.


• Credit Card Terms
  This module is designed to help participants to understand the different types of cards available; sort through offers to choose the card that's right for them; understand credit card terms and conditions and avoid fees and penalty rates. The series includes a multilingual brochure (English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese), training manual, training guide and PowerPoint slides.


• Credit Freeze
  A credit file "security freeze" is a preventive tool to help you avoid identity theft and to block impostors from using your personal information to establish credit. This module explains how to place, lift and remove a security freeze on your credit file. It includes a multilingual brochure and a backgrounder written in Q&A format.
  
  


• Credit Reports, Credit Scores and Specialty Reports
  This module contains information on what goes into the credit report and score, interpreting the credit score, improving credit rating, types of specialty reports, who should request their report, how to get your reports, your rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA).


• Debt Collection
  Every year, millions of consumers must deal with the consequences of delinquent debt. This module is designed to help debtors understand their rights under federal law, communicate effectively with a debt collector, avoid a judgment or garnishment, find assistance or file a complaint. It also equips consumers to avoid debt collection scams and to stop collection efforts on a debt they do not owe.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Digital Dollars
  The Digital Dollars series provides information, advice and training materials to help consumers navigate the new online economy. The series contains three multilingual brochures: Banking Online Safely; Mobile Banking and Mobile Payments; and Safety and Privacy in Online and Mobile Transactions. The brochures are accompanied by a lesson plan and PowerPoint slides that you can download.


• Empower U
  The Empower U training module provides you with tools and materials that you can use to educate your clients and community on four key telecommunications topics: TV service, wireless phone service, Internet service and telemarketing. It consists of four multilingual fact sheets, a PowerPoint presentation and companion guide, and a quiz with answer key.


• Families and Credit Cards
  This module is designed to help parents and trainers talk to youth about credit cards. Topics include adding cardholders to your account, secondary cardholder policies, payment options for kids while they're traveling and helping young people understands the importance of good credit. The series includes a multilingual brochure (English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese), training guide and PowerPoint slides.


• Good Credit
  This training module covers what credit history is, what a credit report is, how to get your credit report, how to establish good credit and where to complain if you have a problem.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• ID Theft and Account Fraud
  This training module covers steps to prevent ID theft, or if you are a victim, to clear up the problems created by ID theft and to lessen its impact on your life.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Improving your financial health with FinTech
  Financial technology (FinTech) offers powerful tools to tackle virtually any financial task, from creating a budget, paying bills and implementing a savings plan to improving your credit score, applying for a loan and achieving your financial goals. FinTech also can make doing all these things more efficient and convenient. The resources here will introduce you to the types of FinTech tools available, help you vet your options and make wise choices, and explain how to protect your privacy when using FinTech.


• Job Training Schools
  This module helps prospective students understand their vocational training education options, evaluate a job training program/school, make wise choices about student loans, and find help if they have trouble making their student loan payments or believe they are a victim of for-profit school fraud.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Military Money
  This module enables servicemembers and veterans to recognize and avoid scams and abusive credit terms, identify better borrowing and banking options and understand what special consumer finance protections they may have under the law.


• Money Management 1-2-3
  This module covers all aspects of money management from building a strong financial foundation, achieving financial goals and planning a secure financial future.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Rebuilding Good Credit
  This training module covers the importance of having a good credit, your rights if your credit application is rejected, how to check your credit report, how to dispute mistakes on your credit report and how to begin to rebuild good credit.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Saving to Build Wealth
  This training module covers information about the importance of saving, setting short- and long-term goals to promote saving, opening a savings account and ways to make your money grow faster, including certificates of deposit (CDs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), U.S. Savings Bonds and college savings accounts.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Savvy Online Shopping
  The popularity of online shopping has grown every year for good reason. More transactions, however, means more potential for problems. This module is designed to help consumers enjoy all the advantages of online shopping while avoiding potential hassles related to products and delivery, returns and exchanges, and pricing and payments. It also addresses ways to protect personal and payment information to avoid identity theft and fraud.


• Scams
  Each year, millions of consumers lose their money, their trust, their privacy and, in some cases, their safety to scammers. This module is designed to educate and empower consumers to recognize and avoid all types of scams, whether perpetrated online, by phone or mail, or in person.


• Short Term Credit
  Credit can be a valuable financial tool for consumers who understand its costs and benefits and how to use it wisely. This module helps consumer to defines open-ended, or revolving, credit, including credit cards, home equity lines of credit and overdraft lines of credit, and discusses the pros and cons of using credit. It includes tips on high-cost credit to avoid.


• Successful Homeownership
  This module covers the financial responsibilities of homeownership and how to manage them, how to maintain and protect your property, and how to build and preserve your home equity.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Teens and Money
  This training series is designed primarily for parents but may also be useful for older teens. The materials cover—budgeting, figuring out if a purchase is a "need" or a "want," banking, writing checks, savings, credit cards, credit reports, driving and cell phones.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.


• Tracking Your Money
  This training module covers basic money management and develop a budget or spending plan to control your expenses.
  
  Publications are available online, with most also available as a PDF download. Government agencies, nonprofits and other community-based organizations who wish to distribute our publications for educational purposes can use the PDF file to instantly produce a professional-looking brochure using an office printer.