In recognition of Military Consumer Month, Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert aimed at protecting California service members, veterans, and their families from common scams and fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, military consumers nationwide reported over 93,700 fraud complaints last year, including 42,766 imposter scams that reportedly cost them and their families over $178 million.
“Far too often, California service members and their families are targets for predatory scammers. Scams are varied and sophisticated, promising everything from home loans to jobs, and continuing education. I urge California’s military community to learn the scam warning signs, bring a buddy when engaging in major transactions, and take a tactical pause when an offer seems too good to be true,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As part of our commitment to protect those who protect us, my office will continue to bring the full force of the law against those who seek to exploit California’s military community. If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, get help and share your story so that we can help your fellow service members. You can report fraud to your local military or civilian law enforcement agency or to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report.”
Military service members, veterans, and their families are frequently targeted by scammers seeking access to their pay and benefits. The camaraderie within the military community is often exploited by impostors who claim veteran status in attempts to perpetrate scams or access personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Common scams targeting the military community include:
**Charity Scams:** These involve fake charities using names that sound legitimate or mimic well-known charities. Consumers are advised to verify charities through oag.ca.gov/charities before making donations.
**Predatory Schools:** For-profit schools may target service members with false promises regarding educational programs funded by the GI Bill. Service members should seek detailed information about graduation rates and job placement before enrolling.
**Home Loan Scams:** Fraudsters may pose as government officials or loan servicers offering bogus loan modifications or refinancing options. Consumers should be wary of upfront fees and unsolicited offers.
**Identity Theft and Fraud:** Scammers may impersonate officials from organizations like the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs to steal personal information. Verification through trusted sources is recommended before sharing any details.
**Job Scams:** Fictitious job listings aimed at stealing personal information from service members seeking new careers post-service are prevalent. Thorough research on companies is advised.
**Pension Scams:** Senior veterans may be targeted by financial advisers offering costly annuities or unnecessary services under false pretenses related to veterans' benefits.
**Affinity Fraud:** This involves scammers pretending to be part of the military community to exploit trust for financial gain.
**Debt Collection Threats:** Illegal practices by debt collectors aiming to intimidate service members into paying debts they do not owe should be disputed in writing promptly.
**Rental Housing Scams:** Fake rental ads targeting personnel looking for housing near bases are common during relocation seasons. Verification through installation housing offices is suggested.
**Predatory Auto Sales and Financing:** Car dealers near bases might lure service members with deceptive deals resulting in overpriced purchases and financing terms. Exploring all financing options before purchasing is advised.
Attorney General Bonta advises taking precautions such as bringing a companion when making significant decisions, utilizing free annual credit reports for monitoring identity theft signs, placing fraud alerts on credit reports if necessary, reporting suspicious activity promptly, using strong passwords for online accounts, checking financial statements regularly for unauthorized charges, signing up for homeowner notification programs where available, and contacting local police or base legal offices if victimized by scams.
For more information on military-targeted scams visit oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/military.