bbb.org

Better Business BureauMilitary Line®

Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North DakotaPhone: 651-699-1111 • 800-646-6222

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues affecting servicemembers, veterans and their families, please contact:

Vicki Lokken-Paverud vicki.lokken-paverud@thefirstbbb.org

Marketplace Ethics

BBB Institute for

Minnesota and North Dakota

Resources For Military

2-1-1 Info & Referral Service211.org

First Call For Help - Minnesota2-1-1 or 800-543-7709

Firstlink - North Dakota877-865-1685

To stop junk mail/telemarketing:Do Not Call Registry

866-290-4236 or 888-382-1222 or donotcall.gov

Direct Marketing Association 212-768-7277

dmachoice.org

Credit Card Offers888-567-8688

MN Attorney General - Consumer Protection651-296-3353 or 800-296-3787

ag.state.mn.us

ND Attorney General - Consumer Protection701-328-6888 or 800-472-2600

ag.state.nd.us

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon beyondtheyellowribbon.org

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 855-411-2372 • consumerfinance.gov

County Veteran Service Officers nacvso.gov

Federal Trade Commission (Federal agency provides consumer protection)

877-382-43consumer.ftc.gov

Fraud Alerts prevent ID theftActive duty personnel:

consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0273-active-duty-alerts Others:

consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert

Military One Source 800-342-9647 • militaryonesource.mil

Veteran C.O.R.E - LSS FREE financial and personal

counseling for veterans and families in Minnesota

888-881-8261 minnesotaveteran.org

Veterans Crisis Line800-273-8255

veteranscrisisline.net

In partnership with

Mission:To reach out to military servicemembers,

veterans, their families and caregivers with education, resources and training on marketplace fraud and scams.

“Serving those that served…”

Top

Scams Targeting MilitaryADVANCE FEE LOANS Internet loan ads ask you to pay fees before receiving the loan.

Result: No loan, loss of money paid and possible ID theft.

CHARITY SCAMScammers collect donations for personal gain and not for the causes they advertise. They use military and veteran related terms to appear connected to government agencies and legal charities.

Result: Lost money to donor and legitimate charities.

EMPLOYMENT SCAMSPayment for required training before hiring.

Fake checks sent to job seeker with request to wire money back for some job-related expenses.

Job applications asking for bank account numbers, before hiring.

Result: ID theft, lost money, no job, wasted time.

PAYDAY LOANSSmall, short-term unsecured loans that are to be repaid by your regular paycheck. Interest rates are very high—up to 500%.

Result: Nonpayment of loans on time cause loans and interest rates to be multiplied and debt increased.

FOR-PROFIT SCHOOLSSome NON-accredited schools enroll students to collect GI Bill, government grants and student loan money. The courses and degrees do not meet many career fields’ requirements and are not transferrable to accredited schools.

Result: Lost money, large student loans due, or useless courses or degrees.

RETIREMENT & PENSION SCAMSDishonest advisors claim to offer free help with paperwork for pensions for veterans over 65 years old. The scheme may involve lawyers, insurance agents or financial planners.

Result: Lost medical benefits or financial benefits due to incomplete advice.

VA BENEFITS

Some organizations charge a fee to assist veterans or family members to apply for VA benefits. This is not illegal, but the same service is free through government or veteran organizations.

Result: Lost money and possibly less VA benefits than rightfully earned.

Marketplace

Do’s & Don’ts For MilitaryDO:

1. Keep careful records and shred anything that you don’t need.

2. Trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Ask resources for help (BBB etc.)

4. Use established employment sites and verify all postings by contacting companies directly.

5. Monitor your credit reports every year through annualcreditreport.com.

DON’T:

1. Don’t give out personal information to anyone who contacts you over the phone, email or at your door (including SSN, driver’s license, credit card numbers, pin numbers, bank account info).

2. Don’t wire money to anyone you don’t know.

3. Don’t click on emails, links or download pictures or documents from anyone you don’t know.

4. Don’t feel pressure to “Act now”. You always have time to purchase a legitimate product or service