MilConsumer Blog Feed

Military families move regularly, sometimes every two to three years. So you may find yourself checking out new digs as you plan a move to another duty station. That’s when you could run into a rental scam, which can be hard to spot, but here are some clues.

The FTC says online healthcare career-training company Career Step targeted people — including military servicemembers and spouses — with false advertisements and other illegal tactics. Learn what the $43.5 million settlement means for some current and former students.

Most people can probably agree that there are few things more frustrating than airline delays or cancellations that leave you stranded at the airport. Whether the issues are the result of an unprecedented event like the Crowdstrike glitch that grounded thousands of flights worldwide, or more common disturbances like weather delays, desperate travelers often turn to social media for help from the airlines. Opportunistic scammers know this, and they’re re lurking behind fake accounts trying to steal travelers’ information.

You might be a spouse who’s PCS’d to a new location or a servicemember getting ready to retire — and you’re probably eyeing new career possibilities. You know where to look for a job, but do you know how to recognize the signs of a job scam?

People are getting letters in the mail from a law firm saying that one of their clients has died and they’re looking for the heir. You are, they say, that heir! (Spoiler alert: you’re not.) The letter goes on to explain their offer: they want to split the proceeds between you, some charities, and their law firm. But what’s really going on?

Investment scammers claim you’ll get big returns investing in a hot new money-making “opportunity” — maybe something like cryptocurrency. Some scammers say you’ll likely make a lot of money if you follow their proven system or method. But will you?

Lots of scams start online, but sometimes the scammer parks right next to you at the bank or outside a store. People are reporting millions of dollars lost in a scam that targets active-duty military and plays on their desire to help. In this con, scammers approach servicemembers to ask for help because they lost their debit card and need to pay for something like a hotel room or groceries. They want you to transfer them money using your phone, but it's a scam.

If your new online friend or romantic interest says they have an emergency and need money, it might not mean they have bad luck. It’s more likely they’re a scammer trying to grab your money. So, how can you tell if an online “friend” is a fraud?

Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help “protect” your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? Maybe they even asked you to share a verification code? If anyone did any of those things, it’s always a scam. So, what do you do next?

Buying a used car instead of a new one might save you some money. But finding, researching, and negotiating to get a used car can be challenging. Online sellers might claim to make buying a used car cheaper and easier, but some sellers use tactics that might end up costing you time and money.