HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvanians will have access to dozens of free financial education events this month as the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities expands its outreach during Financial Literacy Month with programs focused on fraud prevention, identity theft, cybersecurity, saving, and investing.
What This Means for You
- Free financial education programs are being offered across Pennsylvania throughout April.
- Many events focus on scam prevention, identity theft, and online safety for older adults.
- Students and residents can also find sessions on saving, investing, and long-term financial planning.
The department said the events are meant to help residents make better financial decisions and avoid common threats such as identity theft and investment fraud. State officials also encouraged consumers to use the programs year-round and to report scams or seek help through Commonwealth resources.
“Consumers of all ages and backgrounds can take simple steps to control their future by sharpening skills in budgeting, saving, debt management, as well as setting long-term financial goals for investing and retirement,” Department of Banking and Securities Secretary Wendy Spicher said. “You really don’t have to be a math whiz or a stock market pro to be financially literate. It’s more about having the basic tools to avoid debt, recognize fraud, and knowing that money can be a useful tool for your life rather than a source of constant stress.”
The department’s Investor Education and Consumer Outreach team works with schools, community groups, local governments, and other organizations to deliver the sessions.
Officials said residents can learn more about the free, non-commercial programs, request a customized presentation, or find additional resources at pa.gov/dobs. Consumers can also call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email informed@pa.gov for more information. To report scams, resolve financial or insurance issues, or seek help from the state, Pennsylvanians can call 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visit pa.gov/consumer, or email consumer@pa.gov.
Topics Covered This Month
The department said April programming will cover several core financial literacy topics.
“Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online” focuses on protecting personal information through secure websites, strong passwords, and safer social media and online shopping habits.
“Avoiding Identity Theft” examines how identities are stolen or compromised, what victims can do if their information is misused, and how theft can be prevented.
“Save and Invest PA!” introduces residents and students to basic financial planning concepts, including saving, spending, and investing.
Events for Older Adults
A major share of the department’s April calendar is focused on older adults, with multiple “Fraud BINGO” events and other scam-prevention presentations scheduled across the state.
Fraud BINGO, described by the department as an interactive game-based presentation, is scheduled for:
- Sunday, April 6, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Central Blair Senior Center, 1320 12th Ave., Altoona, Blair County. The event is hosted by Blair Senior Services, Inc. and is open to members only.
- Monday, April 7, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Somerset Senior Center, 1338 South Edgewood Ave., Somerset, Somerset County.
- Wednesday, April 16, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hillside Senior Community Center, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County. The event is hosted by United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA and is open to members only.
- Wednesday, April 16, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Perkins Restaurant, 1130 Ravine St., Scranton, Lackawanna County. The event is hosted by the Lackawanna-Wyoming Chapter of PARSE and is open to members only.
- Sunday, April 20, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Mildred Active Living Center, 7699 Route 487, Mildred, Sullivan County. The event is hosted by the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
- Monday, April 21, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Susquehanna County Library, 458 High School Road, Montrose, Susquehanna County. The event is hosted by the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
“Avoiding Identity Theft” sessions for older adults are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, April 8, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at McAlisterville Community Senior Center, 158 Lions Den Drive, McAlisterville, Juniata County. The event is hosted by My MJRSC – The Care Network and is open to members only.
- Thursday, April 10, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Lewistown Senior Center, 515B Knepp Ave., Lewistown, Mifflin County. The event is hosted by The Care Network, Mifflin-Juniata Regional Services Corporation and is open to members only.
- Monday, April 14, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Phoebe Apartments, 1901 Linden St., Allentown, Lehigh County. The event is hosted by Phoebe Ministries and is open to residents only.
- Monday, April 14, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at B’nai B’rith Apartments – Allentown, 1616 W. Liberty St., Allentown, Lehigh County. The event is hosted by the Allentown B’nai B’rith Housing Corporation and is open to residents only.
A “Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online” presentation for older adults is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Philadelphia Senior Center-Allegheny, 1900 West Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County. The event is hosted by New Courtland and is open to members only.
The department is also participating in two senior expos:
- Redeemer Village Health and Wellness Fair, Wednesday, April 23, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Redeemer Village Community Room, 1551 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County. The event is open to residents only.
- Swatara Township’s 4th Annual Senior Resource Fair, Tuesday, April 29, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at LCBC Church, 4150 Chambers Hill Road, Harrisburg, Dauphin County. The event is hosted by the Swatara Township Police Department.
Legislative Events
The department is also participating in several events hosted in partnership with state lawmakers.
Those events include:
- Rep. Brett R. Miller’s Fraud BINGO, Wednesday, April 2, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Trinity House Apartments, 400 Mill St., Columbia, Lancaster County.
- Sen. John Kane and Rep. Carol Kazeem’s Senior Expo, Wednesday, April 9, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Upper Chichester Township Municipal Complex, 8500 Furey Road, Upper Chichester, Delaware County.
- Rep. Christina Sappey’s 2026 Senior Citizen Fair, Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Unionville High School, 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, Chester County.
- Rep. Joe Kerwin’s Drive Through Senior Expo, Monday, April 21, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, 982 Medical Road, Millersburg, Dauphin County.
- Rep. Joe Kerwin’s Drive Through Senior Expo, Thursday, April 30, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at West Hanover Recreation Building, Houck Manor Park, 628 Walnut Ave., Harrisburg, Dauphin County.
Events for Students
Students will also be targeted through a series of “Save and Invest PA!” sessions, which teach the basics of income, expenses, spending plans, savings vehicles, stocks, bonds, and investment funds.
The student events include:
- Tuesday, April 8, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Riverview High School, 100 Hulton Road, Oakmont, Allegheny County. The session is open to Riverview High School students only.
- Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14, at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference and Expo at Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, Dauphin County. The event is open only to conference attendees.
The department said the conference will feature two separate presentations:
- “Save and Invest PA!” on Sunday, April 13, covering the basics of saving and investing.
- “Save and Invest PA! – Starting to Invest” on Monday, April 14, focusing on investing, compound interest, investment accounts, strategies, and how to research investment professionals and opportunities.
Another student session is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, from 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM at Jersey Shore Area Senior High School, 701 Cemetery St., Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. The session is open to participating students only.
Limited-Audience Training
One event this month is aimed at a professional audience rather than the general public.
“Preventing Elder Financial Fraud: It Takes a Village” will be held for staff of the James V. Brown Library on Wednesday, April 22, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM at 19 East 4th St., Williamsport, Lycoming County.
The department said that session will focus on warning signs of elder financial abuse and the latest scams affecting older adults, with an emphasis on the role librarians and library staff can play in protecting patrons from financial exploitation.
How Residents Can Get Help
State officials said the April events are part of a broader year-round effort to help Pennsylvanians navigate the financial services industry and protect themselves from fraud.
A full list of events, including dates, times, and registration details, is available on the DoBS Events Calendar at pa.gov/dobs.
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