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Twin Enemies Vex U S Troops Fraud and Identity Theft

Active-duty personnel veterans and reserve forces targeted by scammers

Getty Images Current and former U.S. military personnel aren't bulletproof against two tireless enemies: fraudsters and identity thieves. In fact, military veterans and retirees reported about $66 million in fraud losses in 2020, a new report says. That compares to $17 million lost to fraud by spouses and dependents of active-duty troops; $13 million by active-duty personnel; and $6 million by members of the reserve forces. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a consumer protection agency, puts these four groups in a category it calls “military consumers.” One caveat: Not all complainants affiliated with the military disclose it.

Impostors took a big toll

Impostor scams were especially damaging to military consumers last year, causing reported losses totaling $40.8 million, the FTC says in its just-released . That made the No. 1 fraud to hit military consumers, when measured both in terms of the number of reports and overall losses. Impostors pose as others to get money or personal information from victims; for example, crooks may masquerade as government employees, romantic interests, or relatives or friends with an urgent financial need. Fraud is one of three categories in the FTC's annual data book, comprising reports from federal, state and local government agencies and law enforcement and nonprofit partners. One partner is , which has a free helpline, 877-908-3360. Military consumers filed 65,576 fraud reports last year, and fraud losses for this group across the board stood at $122 million. Those are big increases from the 58,542 fraud reports, and $92 million in losses, in 2019. The two other categories in the 2020 data book are identity theft, , and other consumer problems, which led to 52,693 reports. The latter category involves complaints against the likes of credit bureaus, bankers and lenders. A worrisome trend that emerged among all consumers in 2020 was mirrored within the military community: a jump in the cases in which victims said their data was used by crooks to apply for or receive government benefits. Military consumers filed 22,987 complaints, . AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > In reviewing data early in 2020, Kando-Pineda said it was found that active-duty personnel are 76 percent more likely than other adults to have reported misuse of a credit card or financial account and three times as likely to report someone else had used a debit card or other electronic means to take money directly from their bank account.

Advice for consumers

Her advice to military consumers: Check your credit statements and credit reports frequently to spot unauthorized charges and other problems. Check reports separately from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You may obtain them at . Through April 2021, all three firms are offering free online reports weekly.Never react to an urgent request for funds by buying gift cards or reloadable cards or sending a wire transfer.Learn more about spotting scams and safeguarding your identity at The website is run by the FTC, the Department of Defense and other partners. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. More on money AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS