MSN Money Launches Educational Webisodes to Help Protect Military Service Members From Financial Fraud

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Created by the California Department of Corporations, the series is hosted by “MoneyTrack” co-anchors Pam Krueger and Jack Gallagher.

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 11, 2008 — Microsoft Corp., a worldwide leader in software, services and solutions, today announced along with “MoneyTrack” that it will launch a new, three-part webisode series on MSN Money aimed at educating military members and families about the latest financial scams, the importance of staying debt-free and alternatives to borrowing.

The webisode series was created just in time for Veterans Day by Troops Against Predatory Scams (TAP$), a program sponsored by the California Department of Corporations. The series will be hosted by investing expert Pam Krueger and renowned TV personality Jack Gallagher from the popular financial series “MoneyTrack,” which airs on PBS stations and is a nonprofit funded by the Investor Protection Trust.

Military service members are quickly becoming targets for unscrupulous lenders during these uncertain economic times, and it’s not because they earn big incomes. Military members are targeted because of their steady, predictable paychecks and tendency to need quick cash. The new webcast, now available on MSN Money, focuses specifically on predatory payday lending practices. It examines why payday lending is such a big problem for military personnel, identifies what resources are available to them and provides information about how to get out of debt.

“In today’s military, financial troubles have become an issue of national security because they can keep service men or women from being deployed overseas,” said Pam Krueger, the creator, co-host and executive producer of “MoneyTrack.” “It’s crucial that members of the military get the information they need to avoid financial scams specifically targeting them.”

“We are thrilled to have another opportunity to expand our relationship with ‘MoneyTrack’ and offer this new series to our MSN Money users,” said Chris Jolley, group manager of the Financial Products Group at Microsoft. “These segments help arm those in the military with the knowledge they need to avoid becoming victims of financial fraud.”

MSN Money began partnering with “MoneyTrack” in April of this year with the launch of “Scam Alert” video segments on the MSN Money Web site. The videos touch on a broad range of topics, highlighting real people and stories of financial fraud, and offering viewers the information they need to help protect themselves.

The three-part military webisode series on MSN Money is available at http://www.msnmoney.com/moneytrack. The full webcast is available at http://www.vodium.com/login.asp?lib=pn100614.

About“MoneyTrack”

“MoneyTrack” is a fresh new public television series about money and investing that features real people. Every week, co-hosts Pam Krueger and Jack Gallagher’s down-to-earth approach helps explain what works and what doesn’t work. “MoneyTrack” offers unbiased, non-commercial education to help viewers become wiser and safer investors. Pam Krueger is creator, executive producer, and co-anchor of the “MoneyTrack” series. For more information, visit www.moneytrack.org.

About the Investor Protection Trust

The Investor Protection Trust provides independent, objective information to help consumers make informed investment decisions. Founded in 1993 as part of a multi-state settlement to resolve charges of misconduct, IPT serves as an independent source of non-commercial investor education materials. IPT operates programs under its own auspices and uses grants to underwrite important initiatives carried out by other organizations.

About MSN Money

MSN Money is a premier online financial resource, providing great original editorial content plus the tools and community to empower investors and engage spenders and savers. Taxpayers can find helpful tax tips, checklists, a tax estimator and the Deduction Finder to help them make informed decisions about filing. MSN Money also helps users stay informed with in-depth and up-to-the-minute data, investment recommendations, valuable tracking tools and opportunities to connect with other active investors to make smart financial decisions. MSN Money is located on the Web at http://www.money.msn.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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