BBB warns of scams targeting military members over Memorial Day weekend
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Memorial Day weekend not only marks the unofficial start of summer, but it also serves as a time to recognize the sacrifices of fallen heroes. As a result, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) urges members of the military community to beware of potential scams targeting them during the holiday period.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have lost their lives for our country. Unfortunately, scammers use this time of year to take advantage of veterans and their families in various schemes,” said Robyn Householder, president and CEO of the BBB serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. “We encourage everyone to be on alert when purchasing items or donating.”
According to officials, the following four scams are pretty common this time of year:
High-priced military loans: Advertisements for loans promising a guarantee, instant approval, or no credit check often come with hidden fees and extremely high-interest rates.
Fake rental properties: Ads use stolen photos of legitimate rental properties while promising military discounts and other incentives.
Misleading car sales: Some websites posting classified ads will offer fake discounts for military personnel while others claim to be from soldiers who need sell their vehicles quickly due to deployment.
Fake military charities: Scammers will often adopt similar names and outreach practices as trusted nonprofits, including email, direct mail, phone calls, and texts. These scams commonly use emotionally appealing words such as “warriors,” “heroes,” and “disabled.”
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The BBB shared a list of tips to help people avoid becoming victims of these scams:
Never wire transfer money to anyone you don’t know: Money sent via wire transfer is basically impossible to track. If you pay or donate by credit card, you can dispute charges more easily.
Protect your computer: Don’t click on the links within unsolicited emails or enter personal information on unfamiliar websites. You should also make sure you have up to date anti-virus software installed and use a firewall at all times.
Put an Active Duty alert on your credit reports when deployed: By doing so, you will minimize the risk of identity theft since creditors and businesses cannot issue or grant credit until verifying your identity.
Do your research: Get as much information as possible about a business or charity before paying or donating. For example, you can check out a business’ BBB Business Profile or see if the BBB has a report on the charity, including whether the charity meets BBB Charity Standards.
The BBB encourages everyone to report suspected fraud by filing a complaint with the BBB Scam Tracker.
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