July is Military Consumer Month, and we need to talk about something that affects way too many of us in the military community. The Federal Trade Commission created Military Consumer Month because military families face a serious problem: we’re getting scammed at much higher rates than civilians. 

Here’s the reality check: According to the Federal Trade Commission, military families are 76 percent more likely than other adults to be victims of banking fraud. Military consumers reported losing $584 million to fraud in 2024 alone. That’s more than half a billion dollars stolen from the people who serve our country. Terrible!

That’s real money taken from real military families—money that could have gone toward a vacation, kids’ college funds, or just building up an emergency fund for the next PCS move. 

Why Military Consumer Month Matters: Scammers Target Military Families 

Unfortunately, military life creates the perfect storm for scammers. Think about it: we move every few years, which means constantly setting up new bank accounts, utilities, and services. Every PCS move requires filing and re-filing paperwork and legal documents. This constant paperwork shuffle makes it harder to tell the difference between a legitimate request from your new electric company and a scammer trying to steal your information. 

The instability of military life works against us in other ways too. When you’re dealing with a new duty station, new schools for the kids, and finding your way around a new base, it’s easy to let your guard down when someone calls about “urgent” paperwork or account updates. 

For veterans transitioning out of the military, the challenges multiply. Many are creating resumes and applying for jobs for the first time as adults. This makes them prime targets for employment scams that promise great jobs but are really after personal information—or worse, access to military pensions and benefits. 

Add in the fact that military families have predictable income and valuable benefits like VA loans, and it’s clear why scammers see dollar signs when they target our community. 

Military Consumer Month Safety Tips

Every military move means finding new service providers—babysitters, plumbers, electricians, contractors, and mechanics. When you need someone fast and don’t know the area, it’s tempting to go with the first person who answers the phone or has the lowest price. Unfortunately, scammers know this and often target military families who are new to an area. 

Whether you’re shopping for products online or looking for services in your new duty station, you need ways to verify who you’re dealing with. That contractor offering to fix your roof after the last storm? The babysitter who seems perfect for date night? The online store with amazing deals on military gear? How do you know who’s legit? 

This is where doing your homework pays off. Before handing over money or personal information, take a few minutes to research. Check online reviews, ask for references, and verify business licenses. If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts. 

GoVA’s Military Consumer Month Initiatives 

We’re not just going to sit back and let this happen to our military families. This Military Consumer Month, GoVA Foundation is fighting back with education and practical tools you can use right now. 

Military Consumer Month Featured Event: Live Session with the FTC 

On Thursday, July 17 at Noon Eastern, we’re hosting “Scam Recovery for Military Families“—a live conversation with an expert from the Federal Trade Commission. This isn’t some boring presentation. It’s a real discussion about real problems affecting real military families. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• How scammers specifically target military families and veterans 
• What to do immediately when fraud happens 
• Recovery strategies that work for military situations 
• Prevention tips that fit our military lifestyle 

The FTC representative will also update us on new scams targeting the military community. Staying informed protects you and gives you the knowledge to help a friend when they’re not sure if that phone call or email is legitimate. 

Can’t make it live? No problem. Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording so you can watch it later. 

Register for free here.

Military Consumer Month Partnership: BBB ScamTracker 

We’ve also partnered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) this Military Consumer Month to promote their ScamTracker tool. This free resource should be bookmarked on every military family’s computer. 

ScamTracker lets you: 

• Search for a person, business, or website to see if others have reported them as scammers 
• Check if that contractor or service provider is trustworthy 
• Research businesses before you shop online or in person 
• Report scams to warn other military families 
• Stay updated on the latest fraud trends 

You can find ScamTracker at bbb.org/scamtracker. Think of it as your first line of defense—when something feels off, check it here before you hand over any personal information or money. 

The BBB also has local chapters across the country, so whenever you PCS, you can learn about new local scams and questionable businesses to avoid in your area. Use ScamTracker to help other military families moving to your location avoid giving their hard-earned money to scammers. 

Take Action This Military Consumer Month 

Military Consumer Month isn’t just about recognizing the problem—it’s about taking action. Start by registering for our July 17 session with the FTC expert. Whether you watch live or catch the recording later, you’ll learn strategies that could save your family thousands of dollars. 

Next, bookmark ScamTracker and use it whenever you’re unsure about a business, service provider, or offer. It takes two minutes and could prevent a major headache. 

For ongoing protection, check out our comprehensive Military Financial Resources page. We’ve gathered the best fraud prevention tools, identity protection guides, and financial education resources specifically for military families. 

The Edge, our free financial education platform, also provides tools for credit monitoring, budgeting, and building the kind of financial foundation that makes you less vulnerable to scams. 

Your Military Consumer Month Action Plan 

Don’t let scammers take advantage of your service to our country. Register today for “Scam Recovery for Military Families” on July 17 at noon Eastern. Even if you can’t attend live, registering gets you access to the recording. 

This information could protect your family’s financial future and help you make smart decisions about who to trust with your money and personal information. 

Register for the info session now. 

Your financial security is worth 60 minutes of your time. Join us this Military Consumer Month and help us fight back against the scammers targeting our community.