Orange County promotes National Financial Literacy Month in April

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The County of Orange has proclaimed April as National Financial Literacy Month to improve the financial literacy of the public.

Chairman Doug Chaffee presented the proclamation at Tuesday’s Board meeting to Treasurer Shari L. Freidenrich, who is leading the education efforts for National Financial Literacy Month. This is a yearly event promoted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with proclamations issued by the President of the United States.

“Financial Literacy Month was first recognized in the US in April 2004 and is a great time to get your personal finances on track,” Chairman Chaffee said. “It’s my hope that the public will educate themselves about the ways and techniques that can help them in becoming financially smart and not fall victim to fraudulent practices.”

“The County of Orange and my Office are highlighting high-quality financial education to improve financial literacy,” Treasurer Freidenrich said. “Learning how to manage your money wisely, use credit and loans carefully and protect your identity and money gives people financial freedom and helps them take control of their lives. Every year Americans lose billions of dollars in losses and hardship.”

The FTC received $5.7 million victim reports describing more losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud – a 24% jump in losses in one year. Imposter scams, when someone pretended to be a trusted period or business, led to losses of $2.3 billion.

To encourage financial literacy during National Financial Literacy Month, the County of Orange Service Center at 601 N. Ross Street will be distributing free pamphlets and a resource flyer with website links to various financial literacy topics such as managing your money, understanding credit, loans & debt and scams and identify theft.

Check out information and tips at blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/national-financial-literacy-month-april-2022. The resource flyer is also available online at octreasurer.com/financialinfo.