Avoiding scams can be a full-time job. Thankfully, your military affiliation brings you some extra ways to fight back. From a recent Defense.gov news article, these resources are suggested by Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department’s office of family policy, children and youth:
"Installation legal assistance officers can help when such issues arise, and certified financial counselors can provide support, guidance and advice at family assistance centers on military installations, she said. The counselors know the community and are likely to be aware of less-than-scrupulous vendors and service providers, she said.The Military OneSource website offers a wealth of resources such as financial counseling and tip sheets on how to be a good consumer and avoid pitfalls, Thompson said.
DOD also has federal partners in the battle against financial scams, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s Scam Watch, and the Treasury Department’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where one can register a complaint that will be investigated, Thompson said.
The Better Business Bureau Military Line compiles information on businesses that are less than reputable, Thompson said, and installation commanders also have the ability to put unscrupulous businesses on a list, she added."
Most of these are resources I had heard about, but I was unaware of the Scam Watch, and it wouldn't occur to me to use base legal resources. Good to know!
Have you ever been the victim of a scam? My husband and I came very close to losing a chunk of money in a sports ticket scam last year. It was frustrating and I felt so dumb! Tell me about your experiences so we can all learn.
