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Did You Know?
BBB Issues Warning to All Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers
SCAM ALERT! Veterans and active duty servicemembers be aware of the current scams being used on you daily, and especially around the Holiday Day weekend: 1) Phony Jury Duty Summons - A caller claims to work for the local court system and states that the service member or veteran did not show up for jury duty and now has a arrant out for his or her arrest. When the victim says they never got a summons, the caller will ask for a credit card number or Social Security number to clear up the matter. Frequently used scam that targets elderly veterans. 2) Expensive Life Insurance Policies - Members of the military and veterans are often the targets of high pressured sales tactics that offer unnecessary, expensive life insurance policies. Solicitors may make false statements regarding the benefits that these policies offer. 3) Misleading Car Sales - Websites posting classified ads will offer false discounts for military personnel and veterans or claim to be from soldiers who need to sell their vehicles fast since they have been deployed. Upfront fees will be required via wire transfer. Also, veterans and active duty servicemembers have been lured in by false, yet attractive low interest rates. 4) High Priced Military Loans - Advertisements for loans that promise a guarantee, instant approval or no credit check will often come with hidden fees and extremely high interest rates. Remember that legitimate lenders will never guarantee a loan before you apply and loans that require an upfront fee are likely a scam. 5) Veterans’ Benefits Buyout Plans - This buyout plan will offer a cash payment in exchange for a disabled veteran’s future benefits or pension payments. The cash amount is only about 30-40 percent of what the veteran is entitled to. These buyout plans can be structured in several different ways, so research thoroughly before signing anything over. 6) Fake Rental Properties - Stolen photos of legitimate rental properties are used in advertisements that promise military and veteran discounts and other incentives. The scammer often requires the service member or veteran to pay a fee via wire transfer for security payments or a key to the property – in the end they will receive nothing. BBB recommends the following advice to avoid scams: · Do your research. Get as much information as you can about a business or charity before you pay. Check out a business’ from your local BBB. · Don’t wire transfer money to anyone you don’t know. Money sent via wire transfer is practically impossible to track. Pay by credit card whenever possible, since you can dispute charges easily. · Protect your computer. Don’t click on links within unsolicited emails. Don’t enter personal information on unfamiliar websites. Make sure that you have updated anti-virus software installed and use a firewall at all times. · Put an Active Duty alert on your credit reports when deployed. Doing so will minimize the risk of identity theft because creditors and businesses cannot issue or grant credit until verifying identity. BBB Military Line provides free resources to our military communities in the areas of financial literacy and consumer protection.
How to Check Accuracy of Your Rated Disability
You can visit Military Disability Made Easy to find out about the accuracy of your VA rated disability. The site is comprised of a team of military medical professionals. With experience ranging from health care administration to analyzing military medical laws, policies, and directives, and reporting to congressional committees.
Free Resource Guide for Veterans & Family Members
Accredited Schools Online publishes an online guidebook that provides financial information and options for veterans, different associations and groups available for educational purposes, and pointers on how to choose the college best suited to the needs of veterans and their family members. |
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