NEWARK – The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs will bring its Consumer Bowl competition to high schools across the state starting today, as the annual program marks its 20th year of fostering consumer education to students.

“We’ve partnered with local consumer affairs officials and educators for two decades, helping young consumers learn about our laws and their legal rights in the marketplace, through the Consumer Bowl competition,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “Every participating student will be a winner, as each becomes a more knowledgeable consumer through preparing for the Consumer Bowl.”

The competition starts at the county level, as local schools face off in an intra-county competition. The county winners next meet in three regional Consumer Bowls, with the North, Central and South regional winners then facing off to determine the State Champion.

Consumer Bowl topics included internet-based scams, Ponzi schemes, financial fraud, charitable giving, home improvements, identity theft, and automotive issues.

“We’re preparing students to be savvy consumers for a lifetime, able to spot potential scams and avoid them,” said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “I want to commend the participating schools for recognizing how the Consumer Bowl benefits their students and for taking part in this year’s competition.”

A total of 84 schools are signed up for the 2016 Consumer Bowl.  Each school is represented by a team of students who have studied consumer affairs issues and laws with a teacher/advisor. Each team uses buzzers to ring in and answer questions during the competition, as on a television game show.

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