BATON ROUGE, LA – According to the Better Business
Bureau, more than 10% of online purchase scams last year came from the
military community. Active duty military and their spouses were more likely
to report losing money to these scam types than non-military consumers.
Recognizing July as Military Consumer Month,
Attorney General Jeff Landry is offering tips to service members and their
families to safeguard themselves from fraud.
“The brave men and women in our military make
enormous sacrifices for our Nation, but the unique demands of their service
can often leave them vulnerable to criminals,” said Attorney General
Landry. “So I encourage all active duty service members, reserve members,
veterans, and their families to learn more about fraud, scams, identity
theft, and unscrupulous businesses.”
Attorney General Landry, a veteran, urges military
families to:
- Use
secure Internet connections.
Avoid public Wi-Fi which can put your personal and financial information
at risk.
- Monitor
credit reports.
Check your reports as they can help warn you of identity theft.
- Research
before making purchasing.
Examine the BBB website for the brand or retailer.
- Avoid
quick social media shopping.
Confirm online retailer is an authorized reseller.
- Use
reputable payment methods.
Use traceable transactions and secure websites that offer buyer or seller
protection.
- Plan ahead. Place an active duty alert
on credit reports at no cost as businesses are required to take additional
steps before granting credit in the name of active-duty personnel serving
overseas.
For more ways our military personnel can protect themselves, Attorney
General Landry encourages them to check out his Resource Guide for Service Members and Veterans.
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