November 2023 Scam: Scams Targeting Veterans

Scammers are targeting veterans, service members and their families. Military personnel are 40% more likely to be scammed than civilians are.  Con artists use specific military vocabulary and government guidelines to scam unsuspecting military victims to create a false sense of familiarity.

Some simple steps can help to safeguard you against con artists:

• Register all phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry

• Install robocall-blocking programs

• Keep antivirus software current

• Secure private information with different logins and passwords for each account

• Confirm the legitimacy of veterans’ charities before donating with independent websites like Charity Navigator

• Never reveal private and sensitive information like banking details and social security unless you can confirm who you are dealing with

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

• Do not wire money or use gift cards as payment. These methods make tracking the transactions nearly impossible

• Never pay for your military records. They are always free through your local VA

• Don’t pursue jobs if you have to pay a fee or supply banking information in order to be hired

• Don’t allow someone to access your private information from the VA without power of attorney

• Don’t trust caller ID

• Never click on links in unsolicited text messages or emails
  

The more you know, the more you can protect yourself and your family. Stay updated with the FTC's Military Consumer Protection.  

Sources: aarp.org, ftc.gov, militarytimes.com and militaryconsumer.gov

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