Scammers Specifically Target Military Members, Veterans

Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) November 5, 2019 – As the prevalence of social media and other online communication channels has grown in popularity over the last couple decades, so has the number and variety of scams that attempt to bilk unsuspecting victims out of their money.

Anyone can be fooled by a scam; however, military service members and veterans are targeted by scammers more than the general public and they lose more money to scams than do other groups. A recent study from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) found that veterans who were successfully targeted lost an average of $200 to scams, which is 32 percent more than the $152 a member of the general public loses.

“Scammers are clever and unscrupulous,” says James G. Fausone, lead attorney at Legal Help for Veterans in Northville, Michigan. “Veterans are attractive victims for criminals looking to take advantage, which is why they are always looking for scams that will specifically appeal to veterans.”

Employment scams are common and dangerous because they often appear to be legitimate. For example, a work-from-home job offer may come with a check to purchase equipment or training. However, the check will almost certainly bounce and leave the veteran responsible for the funds. Moving scams, in which a person posing as a moving company will pack and move household belongings then refuse to return the items until a fee is paid, are sometimes perpetrated on or near military bases, as there is a huge need for moving services in these areas.

Veterans are vulnerable to other forms of fraud too, including identity theft and are often targeted by online bots and fake foreign accounts on social media in an attempt to spread misinformation and influence opinion. Schemes trying extort veterans via romantic online relationships are out there, as well as fake fundraising attempts surrounding veterans causes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently has no protections in place for elderly and disabled veterans who are particularly vulnerable to scams and financial predation. “It is important to stay vigilant at all times, especially whenever money is involved,” continued Fausone.

Legal Help for Veterans is a law firm for veterans, run by veterans and focusing on disability claims. For more information on the firm visit them online at https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/

Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101 Northville, MI 48168 Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800