Protecting military members and their families from scams

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, let’s not forget the people who fight every day to maintain that independence.

Despite the sacrifices service members, veterans, and their families make, though, they are often preferred targets for scammers.

"There are scams for everyone,” Jon Miller Steiger, director of the East Central Region of the Federal Trade Commission, said.

Steiger said that includes the military community, which is why organizations like the FTC ramp up efforts during July – Military Consumer Protection Month – to increase awareness of consumer protections for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

According to the FTC, scammers stole around $477 million from veterans, military personnel and their spouses, a $63 million increase compared to 2022.

The most prevalent and costly form of fraud against military members is impostor scams and active duty servicemembers were more likely to fall for a variety of fraud attempts, with 42% reporting a loss.

"What we see are work-at-home scams, job opportunity scams that are targeting service members and particularly their families who are trying to get a little bit more money in the door,” Steiger said.