From the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia:
As Veterans Day approaches, the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia is warning service members, veterans, and their families to be on the lookout for scams and fraud. The Better Business Bureau receives thousands of reports per year from active-duty service members, military families, and veterans through our crowd-sourced scam reporting tool, BBB Scam TrackerSM
“America’s vets and their families are on the front lines for our nation, but being scammed isn’t one of the roles they signed up for,” said military veteran Barry N. Moore, President of the BBB serving Central Virginia.
Here are three of the top five most risky scams as reported in our
Military Consumers & Marketplace Trust report this year:
Employment Scams: By a landslide, the riskiest scam for military spouses and veterans is employment scams; the median dollars reported lost was $2,460— more than double that reported across all consumers. Whether you’re looking for a flexible opportunity close to home or hoping to secure your first civilian job, it can be difficult to identify if an opportunity is made for you or just plain made up. Read this articleto learn more about employment scam tactics and how to avoid them.
Home Improvement Scams: When you’re new in town, it can be hard to know who to trust with your home repairs. Sixty percent of military consumers who reported a home improvement scam lost money. No matter how trustworthy someone may seem at your door, you should always verify their credentials. Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, payments made upfront, handshake deals without a contract, and on-site inspections.Get details in writing and verify contractors and home improvement professionals at BBB.org.
Online Purchase Scams: Nearly three out of every four military consumers reporting an online purchase scam lost money to a fraudster. Between frequent moves and changing financial situations, families are buying and selling more items online—and falling into common scammer traps. No matter where you’re stationed, purchase items from reputable retailers with a verifiable physical address, a secure website, and apps that provide protection.
Thanks to the more than 10,000 military consumers who have reporting scams they’ve encountered to the BBB! You can search for scams in your community and warn others by visiting BBB.org/ScamTracker.
About BBB Military Line®: We help military service members, veterans, and their families protect their assets, plan for the future, and prosper in a trusted marketplace. Learn more at BBB.org/Military.
