Common military scams targeting Servicemembers, Veterans and their families

Military life can include frequent moves, deployments and benefit programs. Scammers who target military members often use details about those situations to make fake messages seem real. Knowing how common military scams work can help you protect your personal details with confidence.

Military scams can take many forms, from fake benefit offers to housing and job scams. In this article, you’ll learn how these scams work, the warning signs to watch for and what steps can help protect your information if something doesn’t seem right.

How do military scams work?

Military scams target Servicemembers, Veterans and their families to try to get money, account access or personal information. These types of scammers may pretend to represent a military branch, government agency, charity, employer, lender, landlord or personal connection. 

Why military communities are targeted

Scammers take advantage of situations where people may need to make decisions quickly. A permanent change of station (PCS) move, for example, can create tight housing timelines. Remote communication can become commonplace during a deployment. Moving into civilian life can involve searching for a job and applying for Veteran benefits. Scammers can make up believable stories for these types of situations.

Military affiliation also can create a quick sense of trust. Someone who contacts you by phone or online may claim to be a fellow Servicemember. They also might use details they find online to try to convince you they’re someone they’re not. 

Common military scams to know about

Many military scams use a familiar pattern. They build trust, create pressure and request something of value. The common scam examples below show how that pattern can surface in the military community.

Impostor and government-agency scams

An impostor scam happens when someone pretends to be a trusted person or organization. The contact may claim to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs, TRICARE, a military branch, a financial institution, your base or a military charity. The scammer may ask for money, account information or personal details.

Many impostors contact potential targets through phishing. That’s a type of scam that uses a message or fake website to collect information or install harmful software. Phishing can arrive by email, text, social media or phone. A message may include real details about your service or family. But, that doesn’t mean the sender is real.

If you think you may have come across this type of scam, check the request by using a phone number or website you find on your own. Don’t use the contact information in the message. Before donating to a charity, make sure the name and website match the organization you intend to support.

Romance and social media scams

Romance scams can start with a friendly message, dating profile or social media connection. A scammer may claim to be deployed, stationed overseas or unable to access a bank account. They may use limited familiarity with military life to make excuses about deployment, delayed mail, banking access or communication issues seem believable before asking for travel costs, medical expenses, fees or another type of payment.

Be cautious when someone you haven’t met asks you for money, account help or sensitive information. Take time to verify the person’s identity. A photo, military story or video call alone may not be enough. Some artificial intelligence (AI) scams use fake or altered images, audio and video. Don’t rely on them as proof to confirm someone’s identity.

Housing and PCS-related scams

Housing scams may involve a fake rental listing or a military discount that isn’t real. A scammer may push you to make a deposit by wire transfer, payment app, gift card or cryptocurrency before you see the property or review the lease.

Check out the property’s owner or manager and inspect the property in person. If you’re not there, ask a trusted local contact to check it out for you. Before paying, review the leasing document. Be on alert if the other person pressures you to use an unusual payment method.

Benefit, pension and PACT Act scams

Benefit scams may promise to speed up a VA claim, guarantee a disability rating or find benefits for a fee. Others ask a Veteran to move their pension assets, sign over part of a benefit or share medical and financial records. 

Only the VA can decide who qualifies for VA benefits. Attorneys and claims agents may not charge for help preparing or filing an initial VA benefits claim. After VA issues an initial decision, a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent may charge a reasonable fee for help seeking review of that claim.

Contact VA through VA.gov or a known phone number to verify an unexpected benefit message. If someone offers help with a benefits claim, check the VA’s accreditation search to see if they’re approved. Avoid anyone who guarantees an award, promises special access or pressures you to sign incomplete forms. 

Military records and grant scams

Some websites charge for records that many Veterans and next of kin typically can request at no cost. Others advertise secret military grants or government funding. They also might ask for an application fee or personal information. Legitimate programs explain who qualifies and how to apply through official sources. 

For military service records, start with the National Archives military records page rather than an unfamiliar paid service.

Employment and education scams

A fake employer or school may advertise as Veteran-friendly and conduct a text-only interview. The contact may ask for money for training or equipment. Or, they might send you a check and ask you to return part of the funds. They also might request personal details too soon or offer a job without normal screening.

Look for the job opening on the organization’s official website. Then, contact the organization using a number you find. Be cautious of early requests for money, banking details or a Social Security Number.

Lending and credit scams

A lending scam may promise guaranteed approval, credit repair or a special military rate. They might pretend to be a real lender, hide fees or ask for payment upfront. Check out the company and compare offers before you share any information.

The Military Lending Act provides protections for Active Duty Servicemembers, certain activated Guard and Reserve members and covered dependents when they use many types of consumer credit. Some loans aren’t covered, so check with a military legal assistance office to find out how the law may apply.

Credit monitoring and identity theft scams

A scammer may offer to monitor credit during deployment, then use the information to open accounts or make purchases. Use a credit reporting company or service you selected yourself.

Servicemembers on qualifying Active Duty may be able to place a free Active Duty alert on their credit reports. The alert tells prospective creditors to take extra steps to verify identity before opening new credit.

What to do if you suspect a military scam

If you think a scammer got your money or information, taking a few focused steps can help protect your accounts and start the recovery process. The right actions depend on what happened, but these steps cover the most common situations.

1. Stop the contact. Don’t send more money, share more information or click on any links in the scammer’s message. Save the message, receipt, phone number, website and other evidence.
2. Contact the company involved. Use a phone number you trust to report the issue. Ask what can be done to protect your account.
3. Secure affected accounts. Change reused passwords, turn on multifactor authentication and review recent activity. If identity theft may have occurred, consider a fraud alert or credit freeze.
4. Report what happened. Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.

Frequently asked questions about military scams

How can I verify someone who says they’re from a government agency?

End the unexpected contact and reach out to the agency directly. Use its official website or a phone number from a trusted source. Don’t use a phone number, link or caller ID as proof.

Does the VA charge a fee to apply for benefits?

No. Applying directly for VA benefits is free. VA-accredited representatives can help, and recognized Veterans Service Organizations provide free assistance with initial benefit claims.

Are military service records free?

Most Veterans and eligible next of kin can request free copies of certain military service records. Fees may apply to some types of requests like archival copies. Confirm the details on the official National Archives website.

What payment requests are common warning signs?

Be cautious when someone insists that you pay them with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, cash or a specific payment app. These payment methods can be difficult to reverse. If you already paid, contact the company or financial institution involved right away and ask if it can stop or reverse the transaction. 

What if I already shared personal information?

Scammers can use your information to steal your identity. Act quickly to change affected passwords. Contact the relevant financial institution and review your account activity. IdentityTheft.gov can help you make a recovery plan based on the type of information that was shared.

Navy Federal Credit Union is your partner in fraud protection

Learning about scams that target the military community can help you recognize warning signs and take steps to protect your information. Navy Federal offers fraud-reporting and security resources that can help if your accounts or personal information may be affected. You can stay informed about the latest scams in our Security Center.

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