Learn about common scams that service members encounter and how to protect yourself. 

Florida is home to over 69,000 active-duty military personnel, over 205,000 military retirees, and over 1.5 million veterans. Despite their sacrifices in service to our nation, there are some that would take advantage of Florida’s military communities by targeting them with scams. 

The best protection against scammers is awareness. To enhance awareness, this web page includes information on common scams that service members encounter and advice on how service members can protect themselves against scams.

Common Scams Targeting Military Service Members

Service members and their families face unique challenges in protecting their personal identifiable information. The U.S.  Department of Defense’s Military OneSource program has identified the most common scams that target military communities.

• Rental Property Scams target military personnel looking for housing near a base. Scammers pretend to be real estate agents and post fake ads for rental properties on websites, sometimes promising military discounts and other incentives. They try to get service members to send them money for fees and deposits upfront — and the victim ends up with no money and no place to live. If someone insists on receiving money or other payments before a property has been seen, it is probably a rental scam.
• DFAS/MyPay Phishing Scams try to steal a service member’s identity by getting Social Security numbers, bank accounts and other personal information. The scammer pretends to be from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or another military group and contacts members or their spouses by phone, email or text. They may claim that due to computer problems your information was lost and needs to be reentered to process payments. In other cases, their emails contain links or attachments that can put malware on computers to steal passwords and account information. Service members should never give personal information to someone they don’t know. Also, DFAS and other military organizations never ask for personal financial information, account numbers or passwords.
• Payday Loans are unsecured loans for small amounts — generally $500 or less — that charge big interest rates and fees. (A typical two-week payday loan charging $15 per $100 borrowed equals an annual percentage rate of almost 400%.) Many payday loan companies operate online and advertise “fast cash” and “no credit required.” Active-duty service members are protected from payday loans by the Military Lending Act, which keeps lenders from gouging military personnel with high-interest rates and fees. Even with these protections, service members need to watch out for lenders who may charge illegally high interest rates and fees.
• Loan and Credit Card Scams prey on service members who may be considering getting their first credit card or applying for a loan but have no credit record. Service members should watch out for scammers who offer credit cards and loans with ads saying “Bad credit? No credit? No problem” or “We don’t care about your past. You deserve a loan.” They may also “guarantee” that they can get anyone a loan or credit card.
• Insurance Scams occur when insurance agents use high-pressure tactics to get military personnel to buy insurance they don’t need. They make phony claims about policy benefits, which are expensive and most likely unnecessary. If you are a service member who is considering life insurance, consider taking advantage of Service Members’ Group Life Insurance, government-issued insurance that provides quality insurance at a low price.
• Car Sale Scams occur when car dealers that require no credit check and offer instant approval often charge hidden fees and high interest rates that inflate the cost of a car. First- or second-time car buyers may not be aware of this. Before you sign a contract, consider comparison shopping with other dealerships to make sure you are getting a fair deal. If you are buying a used car, ask for its repair history and get a mechanic to look it over before purchase.
• Romance Scams occur when scammers post fake profiles on dating websites to attract service members. If a service member responds to one of these profiles, the scammer may make advances to make them feel loved and appreciated. And then they will ask for money — usually by wire transfer or prepaid debit card — so they can come visit, pay for a car repair or even for a medical emergency. If a service member sends money, this fake profile will probably disappear, leaving them disappointed and with no chance of getting their money back. If you suspect a romance scam, cut off contact right away and notify the dating site.
• Emergency/Grandparent Scams take advantage of a family’s concern for their service member’s well-being. In this scam a relative, usually a grandparent or aunt or uncle, gets a call from their “niece,” “nephew” or “grandchild.” They are told there has been an emergency — such as an arrest or accident — and the service member needs money quickly. In some cases, the caller claims to be from the military or an attorney, who is acting for the service member. The scammer tells the family member to send money by wire or prepaid debit cards.

Other Military Scams to Avoid

• Fake military charities prey on military families and have names that sound like real charities. They often ask for money for wounded or disabled veterans.
• Phony debt collectors contact military personnel and try to pressure them into paying debts they don't have.
• Credit monitoring scams target active-duty members who are being deployed. They offer to monitor credit and defend against identity theft, but instead they use the victim’s credit information to go on a spending spree, leaving the victim to foot the bill.

How to Protect Yourself

FDACS recommends that service members and their families be proactive and vigilant in protecting their information and finances, and that they utilize laws that provide them protection. The Military Lending Act keeps lenders from gouging military personnel with high-interest rates and fees. The Service Members Civil Relief Act offers protections for service members and their families in many different areas ranging from mortgages to life insurance. Service members often spend long periods of time away from home, which can increase their risk for identity theft or fraud. FDACS recommends that service members reduce this risk by taking the following actions:

• Request an Active Duty Alert. When called to active duty or deployed away from their active duty station, service members can place an active duty alert on their credit report. An active duty alert is free, lasts for one year, and removes you from credit card and insurance offers for two years.
• Request an Initial Fraud Alert. This type of alert may be requested if a service member has a “good faith suspicion” that they have been or will be a victim of identity theft or fraud. An initial fraud alert is free and lasts for one year.
• Request an Extended Fraud Alert. A service member who has been a victim of identity theft may request this alert, but you must have completed an Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Report or a police report. An extended fraud alert is free, lasts for seven years, and removes you from credit card and insurance offers for five years.
• Request a Security Freeze. Also known as a credit freeze, this generally prevents access to your credit report to open new credit accounts. Placing, lifting and removing a security freeze is free.
• Check credit reports on a routine basis. Get a free credit report every 12 months from AnnualCreditReport.com. Consumers get one free report from each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) every year. Stagger the orders to get one every four months. This provides a snapshot of your credit history and an early warning if there is a problem.
• Read bank and credit card statements. Make it a habit — and also read your health plan’s explanation of medical benefits. If a statement includes mistakes or doesn’t come on time, contact the business.

A service member may contact any of the three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to request an active duty or fraud alert. Once an alert is placed with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send the request to the other two bureaus. However, a security freeze must be requested from each of the individual credit bureaus.

What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen

A service member who falls victim to identity theft should act fast and take the following steps:

1. Call the companies where you know fraud occurred. Ask them to close or freeze those accounts because your identity was stolen. Change your account logins, passwords and PINS.
2. Visit IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Report the crime and get a recovery plan that is just for you. You can create an account that helps you with the recovery steps and tracks your progress.
3. Contact one of the credit bureaus and request an extended fraud alert. You must provide documentation that you have reported the identity theft to either the FTC or the police. Placing a fraud alert at any one of the three national credit bureaus will automatically attach the alerts to your credit reports at the other bureaus.
4. Notify your commanding officer. You don’t want them caught off guard if they get calls looking for you, trying to collect on debts that aren’t yours.

How to Spot a Scam: Watch for These Red Flags

Service members are not the only potential targets for scammers. Military family members may be at increased risk of falling victim to a scammer’s tactics, so it’s important to know the red flags that might indicate a scammer is at work.

• They claim to be or represent a person or organization you know. In many common scams, a fraudster may contact you posing as a family member, an employee of a retail establishment you frequent, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your employer, or other familiar entities and ask you for sensitive information. If you get messages that seem out of the ordinary or inappropriate, do not click on any links or download any attachments. If you aren't sure if a phone number or email address is legitimate, do not reply to their message. Instead, use numbers you can verify as accurate to directly contact individuals or organizations referenced in the message.
• There is a sense of urgency. Fear is a powerful motivator, so scammers may try to convince you there is a problem you must solve right away, such as by sending money to a relative who is injured or in jail or providing a credit card number to a supposed utility company preparing to terminate your service. If someone calls and tells you to "act fast," tell them you will call back — and then go through the proper channels to verify the request. Don't interact with the potential scammer, including simply answering their questions, because doing so could pull you deeper into the scam.
• There is an unusual request for upfront payment. A scammer may claim that you need to provide a payment in order to access opportunities like employment, housing, lottery prizes or government grants. They may also ask you to pay them in unconventional ways, like gift cards, peer-to-peer payments, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. These payments can be difficult to track and recover. If you are uneasy about exchanging money, make sure you know the person you are doing business with, or at least have an independent means of verifying their identity and their request.

File a Complaint

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, reporting it may help others avoid the scam. FDACS is the state's clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact our consumer protection and information hotline by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) for Spanish speakers. You can also file a complaint online.