BBB: Help for Military Members and Their Families

Memorial Day is Monday. Those who have worked and are still working through their military service to protect our freedoms are due a huge measure of gratitude. What they do not deserve is the attention that scammers continue to direct their way.

Those in uniform are at risk, of course, from the same scams that all consumers may fall for. There are, however, some specific rip-offs that seem to aim directly and consistently at military personnel and their families.

The BBB Serving Wisconsin has these warnings and reminders regarding some common scams:

· Loans – Advertisements target military members with loan offers that promise instant approval, no credit check and guaranteed cash. They almost always have hidden fees and extremely high interest rates. There may be an upfront fee as well. Remember: legitimate lenders do not guarantee a loan before you apply and do not charge fees upfront. Sound too good to be true? It always is.

· Fake rental properties – Ads that look appealing may be using stolen photos of other properties. Fees are requested to be paid through wire transfers. Once paid, nothing is given in return. Your money is gone and untraceable.

· Life insurance – Scammers try high-pressure sales techniques to get military members to buy expensive life insurance. They will probably lie about the benefits of the policy. Such policies are simply unnecessary, no matter what the sales pitch is.

· Imposter calls – A phone call or email informs a family that a loved one is wounded in service overseas. To cover medical bills, money is requested to be wire transferred. Please remember: Wired money disappears without a trace. Never wire money to someone you do not know.

· Romance Scams - Romance scams are often worked on Tinder or other social media in which a scammer claims to be a real soldier. They will use stolen identity information from genuine military members. After gaining your trust, they try to gain your money, perhaps for “medical fees,” or “transportation costs.”

· Veteran benefits buyout plans – Ads abound promising a cash lump sum in exchange for a veteran’s future disability benefit or pension payments. There are many ways these plans can be structured so it is imperative that anyone considering such an offer read thoroughly through the fine print before signing anything. Consult with others and consider working with a reputable credit counselor.

· Jury duty no-shows – A caller claiming to work for a local court system says a service member didn’t show up for jury duty. When you respond that you did not receive the summons they offer to “clear up the matter” and request your Social Security number or credit card number. Never give out that information.

Always take time to report scams. Visit BBB Scam Tracker.

For more information, contact the BBB Serving Wisconsin at 414-847-6000 or toll-free in Wisconsin at 1-800-273-1002.

BBB’s Military Line

Since 2004, this BBB program has been bringing education and BBB services to military consumers and their families. The goal is to help them navigate an ever-changing and complex marketplace. Visit BBB’s Military Line and sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, “Trusted Scout.”