Public speaking can bring forth anxiety, nervousness, and stage fright, but when the topic is as important as financial safety, the stakes are higher–and so is the responsibility. We all know that famous saying about power and responsibility, right? 

So, why would you want to speak on financial safety? Well, you can be a financial expert, a corporate leader, or a concerned parent (remember, public speaking is public whether you have one or a thousand listeners). Whomever you speak, you need to make sure they get the message, and there are certain tricks to it. 

‘Words do two major things: they provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness’, says Jim Rohn. So, let’s see how you can light people’s minds. 

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Set the stage and tell why financial safety matters

Before starting the story of secure transactions and all the details following it, make sure to do the proper introduction to the theme. First of all, start by explaining ‘why’. 

Why should anyone care about financial safety? Why is important, as is the humor–both combined can bring you an undivided attention of your audience. So, you can try a relatable opening with an anecdote about a Nigerian prince email or a funny encounter with a questionable online store.

For instance: ‘I tried once to buy a limited-edition lamp online, only to realize the ‘store’ was so shady, it didn’t even cast a shadow. It was my credit card that paid the real price!’

From here, you can transition your speech into the serious consequences of financial fraud: identity theft, drained bank accounts, and the ripple effects on trust. 

To nail the point, you can add some statistics, because the numbers usually add weight to your speech. They prove you researched the topic, the topic is not only relatable to you or them but has a global interest, and they say the situation is serious. For instance, you can say that thanks to AI scams like phishing are more sophisticated, according to a Statista survey, where 72% of people questioned said scams are more sophisticated and only 2% said they don’t think so.

Transaction monitoring in AML

It’s time to dig deep and go for those special details when it comes to safe transactions. Let’s get into transaction monitoring within Anti-Money Laundering (AML) efforts. While this topic might seem heavy, it’s an opportunity to turn jargon into something digestible and even entertaining. Also, study says if the human mind can comprehend the difficult aspects of a topic at once, it will definitely understand the easy parts. So, go for it!

You can start by explaining what AML is (a global effort to detect and prevent money laundering). Then introduce transaction monitoring and screening like the one Seon.io has to offer, since those softwares are the greatest heroes when it comes to financial safety. Just to be sure, they are great for companies and businesses, but if you’re lecturing your family member on safety, you can be selective (unless they ask questions). 

You can say something like: ‘Imagine you’re hosting a house party, and you notice someone sneaking out with your silverware. That’s essentially what AML monitoring does–it keeps an eye on unusual activity, like a $140 purchase followed by a $10.000 wire transfer to the Cayman Islands.’ 

And there are some key points for your speech cards: 

• How it works

• Why it matters

• Your role as a consumer

Be sure to make it relatable by explaining how transaction monitoring protects ordinary people, not just billion-dollar corporations.

The fundamentals of safe transaction 

If you’re not good at memorizing speeches, you might want to try a little trick called speech cards. Take some cards and on each write one striking and fundamental point of your speech. Nothing special in volume, just a couple of words so you know where’re you at and what comes next. 

For instance, you need foundation for your safe transactions speech, so you’ll probably talk about the basics of safe transactions. You can use three cards for this. 

On the first one you can write only ‘Secure your devices.’ Without needing any extra details, you automatically know this is the time to tell your audience about antivirus programs, strong passwords, and updating devices. You might even have suggestions on what antivirus program they should use and what passwords are considered strong. Throw in a joke about passwords that aren’t ‘1234’ or ‘password.’

‘Your bank password shouldn’t be easier to guess than the name of your pet goldfish. Speaking of which, shout out to Goldie1234–you deserve better!’

Your second card can be about recognizing phishing attempts. This is a part where you talk about how phishing scams mimic legitimate businesses. You can share tips on spotting red flags like generic greetings, spelling errors, and pressure to act quickly. Those spelling errors can usually be found in the domain or email address that greatly resembles the official’s domain and email–except in one letter. That’s how scammers collected a lot of Bitcoin meant for Trump supporters. Sad story, really. 

The third card is the final one (in this case) so use it to lift your audience’s spirit. Tell them about trusted payment methods. Advocate for credit cards over debit cards for online shopping, as they often offer better fraud protection. Be sure to mention digital wallets like PayPal or Apple Pay, which add an extra layer of security.

Red flags in everyday transactions 

People love real-world examples they can relate to, so focus on the warning signs of unsafe transactions. Some red flags you can focus on are payments that can’t be processed for ‘technical reasons,’ vendors insisting on cryptocurrency or gift cards, and unexpected account notifications or password resets. 

Can you imagine anyone asking to be paid in gift cards instead of money? This detail is your chance to add a touch of humor (humor is good for your speech, it wakes up the audience and keeps them happy–but don’t exaggerate, you’re not a stand up comedian). 

‘If someone’s asking for payment in gift cards, chances are they’re not running a legitimate business–they’re running a scam empire built on target gift receipts.’

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Engaging your audience with interactive moments 

There comes a time in every public speech where, no matter how fun and up to the point you are, you need to address the audience and let them show you what they have learned. You can include a quiz or a scenario-based exercise. You can ask questions like:

‘You get an email saying your bank account is compromised. It includes a link to reset your password. What do you do?’

Let the audience shout out answers, then explain the correct action:

‘Don’t click the link! Instead, go directly to your bank’s website or call their customer service. And please, no yelling at the poor customer service agent–they’re not the scammer.’

After this, it might be time for a little break. 

A crash course on encryption 

No discussion on financial safety is complete without mentioning encryption. It’s everywhere these days, but it can seem like a complex topic. To make it more approachable, think of it as a ‘digital lockbox’ that keeps your information secure.

‘Encryption is like a bodyguard for your data. Without it, your financial information is out in the open—like walking around in flip-flops with no sunscreen, completely exposed.’

Understanding how encryption works in secure websites is essential (you can find great tips on this from Kaspersky). Knowing what to look for—like ‘https’ and the padlock icon—ensures that your online transactions stay protected.

Building trust in a digital world 

It’s hard to trust someone if you can’t look them in the eye, and online business and transactions are exactly that–you needing to trust a bunch of people (and procedures) without looking them in the eye. Of course businesses can trust you–you’re giving them a lot of data to confirm your identity, plus your bank details if you’re buying something. But how do they earn your trust? 

They need to be transparent and have clear terms and conditions. Do some research on the company before you engage in a transaction. Check how their support system is working and if they have any. That could be important in case something goes south with your transaction.

Tell the audience that trust doesn’t mean being naive. As the old saying says: ‘Trust, but verify. Especially when your wallet’s on the line.’

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Wrap up your speech with a call to action 

End your speech by inspiring action. For instance, tell them to implement one safety tip immediately–to update their passwords, to use two-factor authentication, or to review their bank statements. 

If you can, make sure to balance between humor and gravitas, so your audience walks away informed, empowered, and maybe even a little entertained. Financial safety might not be the lightest topic, but it’s one that matters to everyone. Also, as Dorothy Sarnoff likes to say, ‘make sure you have stopped speaking before your audience has stopped listening.’

Good luck! 

About the author:

Petra Rapaić is a B2B SaaS Content Writer. Her work appeared in the likes of Cm-alliance.com, Fundz.net, and Gfxmaker.com. On her free days she likes to write and read fantasy.

Disclaimer: this article includes a paid product promotion.