The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is reminding all active service members, veterans, and their families of scams targeting the military community.
The scams are on the rise and involve deceptive financial services, identity theft, online shopping, employment and impersonation.
“In 2021, New York State had more than 20,000 active service members, and we recognize their sacrifices and unique challenges,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “We are grateful for their service and everything they do to protect our nation, so it is especially important that we shield these brave men and women from financial and reputational harm.”
The most frequent target for scams are active duty service members who are living away from home and have frequent relocations and are managing their own finances for the first time.
According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, fraud cost veterans, service members and their families $267 million in 2021, an astonishing 162 percent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the median loss for military scam victims was $600, which is 20 percent higher than for the general public.
