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  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 6, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: military, military housing, , , , US Army   

    Housing scams target incoming soldiers 

    By Greg Collier

    As soldiers prepare for a new chapter in their military careers, the excitement of moving is unfortunately being overshadowed by a wave of housing scams. Fort Carson, in Colorado, recently took to social media to alert the community about a troubling trend targeting incoming soldiers. The post warned of fraudulent online listings advertising available homes, leading to multiple reports of soldiers being scammed out of their money.

    The scam typically involves deceitful advertisements for rental properties. Soldiers, eager to secure housing, are asked to send deposit fees upfront to secure the home. However, upon arrival, they find the property is already occupied by its rightful owner, who never listed the home for rent. This distressing situation causes financial loss and creates significant stress and disruption for soldiers and their families.

    The Army emphasizes the importance of caution when searching for housing. They urge soldiers to utilize their official housing website, which offers reliable information about realtors and available housing options, both on-post and off-post. For soldiers planning a move to a new base, it’s essential to verify the legitimacy of any housing listings before making any financial commitments.

    Verify the information provided by landlords by cross-referencing with reputable real estate platforms and property management companies.

    Be wary if landlords refuse to meet in person or ask for unusual payment methods. Just because your current landlord accepts payments through an app doesn’t mean every user of that app is trustworthy. Payment apps like Cash App are meant for transactions between people you already know personally.

    If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate further before making any agreements or payments. By reporting scams to the appropriate authorities, you protect yourself and help prevent future fraudulent activities.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on April 19, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: military, , ,   

    Military man charged in romance scam 

    Military man charged in romance scam

    By Greg Collier

    Romance scammers frequently adopt the identities of military personnel, ranging from newly enlisted recruits to high-ranking officers. This impersonation offers scammers a convenient excuse for avoiding face-to-face meetings with their victims, claiming they are stationed abroad and unable to return to the US for extended periods. But what unfolds when the perpetrator behind the deception is actually a member of the military themselves?

    The recent case of a soldier, stationed at Fort Liberty, underscores the pervasive threat of romance scams and the devastating impact they can have on victims. The story unfolds with the 33-year-old active-duty service member, pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering in September after being accused of orchestrating a sophisticated romance scam operation. Operating under various aliases and personas, the soldier allegedly preyed upon the trust of unsuspecting individuals by impersonating love interests, diplomats, customs personnel, and fellow military members.

    Romance scams like this often involve building a false sense of intimacy and trust with their victims before exploiting them financially. In this case, the soldier is accused of manipulating victims into divulging personal information and gaining access to their inheritance and property. The funds obtained were then laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and through contacts overseas, leaving a trail of financial devastation in his wake.

    What makes this case particularly egregious is the fact that the soldier carried out these fraudulent activities while serving as an active-duty soldier at Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg. This betrayal of trust not only tarnishes the reputation of the military but also highlights the vulnerability of individuals, including seniors and military veterans, to such nefarious schemes.

    A US Attorney even commented that the fact that an Army service member was involved in romance scams while serving as a soldier is appalling.

    If someone claiming to be a service member approaches you romantically, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself from a potential romance scam. Request their official military email address, and do a reverse image search of any photos they use in their communications.

    Watch out for inconsistencies in their story, such as frequent excuses for not being able to meet in person or reluctance to provide specific details about their military service. Be cautious if they quickly profess love or ask for money or personal information.

    Engage in conversation about their military experience, unit, or deployment. Legitimate service members are often proud to discuss their service and can provide details about their duties, base, or deployment history.

    If something feels off or too good to be true, it’s important to listen to your intuition. Take a step back and reassess the situation before proceeding further.

    If you suspect that you’re being targeted by a romance scammer impersonating a service member, report the individual to the relevant authorities. This may include contacting the military branch they claim to belong to or reporting the incident to online platforms where you encountered them.

    By asking questions, and verifying information, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be a service member. It’s essential to prioritize your safety and well-being in any online interaction.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 5, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: army, , military, pay scam, ,   

    Pay scam targets junior military members 

    Pay scam targets junior military members

    By Greg Collier

    For the newest members of our nation’s military, life can be rough. A bunch of 18-year-olds are embarking on their first journey into the real world while being shipped to any number of training camps states away from their homes and family. Now, imagine these fresh recruits with little life experience are being targeted in a scam designed to steal their money. You can hardly blame them for falling victim to such a scam.

    Fort Huachuca in Arizona, Fort Benning in Georgia, and West Point military academy, are all warning new recruits about a pay scam that leaves their victims without money. Scammers are posing as high-ranking military officials and calling the recruits to tell them that there is something wrong with their pay. The recruits are then instructed that in order to receive their pay and back pay, the recruit needs to first send money through Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Recruits who hesitate on sending the money are threatened with disciplinary action. According to one report, 74 soldiers have recently lost a total of $143,000 to pay scammers.

    According to the Army, if there really was an issue with a recruit’s pay, the matter would be handled at the recruit’s supporting military pay office. Even when serving in the military, no one should ever have to pay money to get money. Anyone who is asking a recruit to do so is more than likely a scammer. If you’ve been affected by this scam, the Army requests that you report it immediately to your chain of command. A complaint can also be filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

    If you have a friend or family member who recently entered the service, no matter which branch they’re serving with, you may want to share this story with them. Serving our country is already a difficult task. Our men and women of the armed services should not have to deal with scammers like this.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 8, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: military, , ,   

    Military family fall victim to rental scam 

    Military family fall victim to rental scam

    By Greg Collier

    U.S. service members are one of the most targeted groups when it comes to scams. They are frequently victims of identity theft, romance scams, and employment scams. Again, this shows that scammers have absolutely no conscience when it comes to finding targets. Our service members have dedicated their lives to protecting our country, but scammers only think of them as a source of loot. Even when service members are looking for housing for themselves and their families, the scammers are lurking.

    A member of the Naval Reserves was recently looking for a home to rent in the Denver, Colorado area. He used a platform designed specifically to help service members find housing near their respective bases. It should be noted that the platform in question is not run by the military itself.

    The service member was able to find a rental to his liking and paid a $2700 deposit. However, the day before he was supposed to move in, the supposed landlord cut off all communication with the service member. Like with most rental scams, the home was actually for sale and not for rent.

    Typically, in rental scams, the scammers will copy the listing of a home for sale. They’ll then repost the listing somewhere else online, claiming the property is for rent, and that the scammer is the owner. The fake listings often list the property at a lower rent than the market value to try to find desperate victims. Scammers will ask victims for security deposits and first month’s rent before disappearing on the victims.

    Rental scams do not discriminate and have taken money from victims in every education and socioeconomic level. Of course, this scam hits lower-income families harder, as they can’t afford the loss of thousands of dollars.

    If you find a rental listing that appears to be a great deal, do as much research as you can on the property. Even a quick Google search of the address can show you information about the actual listing of the property. But when in doubt, contact the county tax assessor’s office or website. They’ll be able to tell you who the actual owner of the home is.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 4, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , military, , , ,   

    Scam Round Up: Scam targeting service members and more 

    Scam Round Up: Scam targeting service members and more

    By Greg Collier

    This week, in the Scam Round Up, we’re bringing you a warning about a scam you’ve probably heard of and two scams you might not have.

    ***

    Our first scam is one of the more common scams. It’s so common, it even predates the internet. The Pennsylvania State Troopers have issued an alert about the secret shopper scam. Some of the larger retail chains employ secret shoppers to evaluate the customer service in their stores. However, it’s not as common a job as scammers would have you think.

    A woman from the Keystone State lost close to $3000 to the scam. She thought she had been hired by Walmart as a secret shopper. She was sent a check and told to deposit it in her bank account before going out and buying gift cards from Walmart. Once she did, she gave the card numbers to the scammers, who she thought were her employer. The check she deposited was a fake, and the scammers made off with the value of the gift cards.

    If any job asks you to deposit a check into your own account that is supposed to be used for business purposes, the odds are the check is a fake.

    ***

    Do you follow any celebrities on social media? If you do, you may want to watch out for any offers they might make. Recently, a number of celebrities have had their social media accounts hijacked or impersonated. The fraudulent accounts claimed that the celebrities were selling PlayStations at retail price, with the proceeds going to charity. By the time some of the celebrities were able to regain access to their accounts, some victims had already sent money to the scammers.

    Sometimes, celebrities, especially online personalities, will have giveaways, but rarely will they sell anything through social media. If you see one of these posts, be very skeptical, and remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

    ***

    Our last scam is one that is specifically targeting members of our nation’s military. Members of the Illinois National Guard have been receiving phone calls by someone claiming to be a first sergeant. The caller tells the service member that they’re owed back pay. The caller then asks for the amounts of the service member’s last three paychecks. Then the service member is asked to pay a fee of almost $300 in order to receive the back pay.

    According to reports, if a service member is owed back pay, they’ll be notified by their chain of command and not a random phone call.

    ***

    While these scams may not be happening right now in your area, you’re now hopefully prepared if they do.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 25, 2021 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , military, military family, ,   

    Military families are often targets of scammers 

    Military families are often targets of scammers

    By Greg Collier

    When we think of scamming victims, we often think of the elderly without a lot of online knowledge or maybe young people with not a lot of real-world experience. Who we may not think of is the immediate family of military members, specifically their spouses. While our men and women of the armed forces are being deployed, it’s up to their spouses to keep everything running as smoothly as possible on the home front. This is made even more difficult if the family has any children. Because a military spouse may be spending a lot of time at home without their partner, it could leave them vulnerable to various scammers.

    For example, the wife of a deployed soldier in Alaska recently found herself the victim of a work at home scam. She was looking to earn extra income for the family and looked online for a position that would allow her to stay home with her children. She found a position in a local Facebook group that ticked all the right boxes. It was an online work from home job that started at $15/hr where you could set your own hours and work would be available for 45 hours a week. After training, the salary would be increased to $20/hr.

    The victim was then sent a check, so she could order supplies. She was given a list of supplies to order and where to order them from. She was told to deposit the check in her own account and when she voiced her concerns about that she was told that this was standard practice.

    The check turned out to be fraudulent after she had spent the money. The family’s bank account was then locked, and now the family finds themselves in $15,000 debt to the bank.

    Please keep in mind that no legitimate employer will ever ask you to deposit company funds into your own bank account. Real employers have accounting and purchasing departments to handle such transactions. If an online employer asks you to deposit a check for business purposes, it’s almost guaranteed that the check is fake.

    This is only one of many scams that military families are vulnerable to. A good rule of thumb not just for military families but for all of us is not to send or receive money from anyone you don’t know.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 18, 2020 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , military, , , ,   

    Rental scammer posed as military member 

    Rental scammer posed as military member

    Rental scammers are always looking for new excuses to give their victims as to why they can’t meet them face to face. Most recently, rental scammers used the excuse of social distancing to explain their reluctance to meet. In the past, a popular excuse with scammers was that they claimed to be working overseas on a religious mission. All the excuses are used to achieve the same effect. They do this to try to avoid suspicion in the fact that they don’t have the authority to rent the property they claim to own and to get you to make a payment sight unseen. One of the classic excuses seems to be making a comeback and that’s the scammers posing as members of the military.

    San Diego, California is a huge military town, especially for naval forces. The city has seven military bases mostly for the Navy and Marines with a single Coast Guard base. Scammers will try to use the city’s relationship with the military to their advantage. Unfortunately, it worked against one family in San Diego who were looking for a new place to live. They had found a listing on craigslist that appeared to be a really good deal. The person who claimed to own the property also claimed that they were stationed overseas with the Navy. The family wired $1600 to the scammer before they found out the listing was a fake. The scammers had even used the picture of a real serviceman who passed away a few years ago. This scam isn’t limited to just military towns as it has been used all over the country.

    If a prospective landlord ever says that they can’t meet you in person for whatever reason, it’s almost assuredly a scam. Also, if the landlord requests payment through unconventional means like wire transfer or gift cards, it is also almost assuredly a scam. If they claim to be currently overseas for whatever reason, they are almost assuredly a scammer.

    While you may be in a rush to find a new home it’s always worth taking the time to research the property. You should always do a reverse image search to make sure the property ad isn’t being copied from a legitimate realtor or landlord. Lastly, you should also check with the county’s tax assessor’s office or website to find out who the true property owner is. This research may take some time but in the end, it’s worth it to avoid finding yourself in a situation like this.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on May 13, 2020 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: military, , ,   

    The other victims of romance scams 

    The other victims of romance scams

    When we’ve discussed romance scams in the past, we usually focus on the victims who have lost money. However, there are other victims of the scam that we may not have considered.

    If you’re unfamiliar with romance scams, they also go by the name catfishing. A scammer will set up a phony social media or dating profile. They’ll then approach a victim online like they’re seeking a romantic relationship. They might string the victim along for weeks or months. They’ll often give excuses as to why they can’t meet in person, usually business-related but not always. Eventually, they’ll approach their victim for money. A lot of the time the scammers will claim they’re stuck in some remote location and need the money to get home. Other times they’ll say it’s for a business venture that could make the victim rich. Sometime they’ll even flat out ask for gifts.

    This scam is prevalent among the military. Not as financial victims, but as the ones having their pictures stolen to be used on the scammers’ fake accounts. Scammers prefer using the pictures of military members as it gives them a built-in excuse as to why they may be overseas or unable to meet in person. Sadly, these military members are victims too as they often find themselves being sought out by the financial victims of the scam.

    For example, a Naval Petty Officer stationed in Virginia says that he receives several messages a day from victims of a romance scam that used his picture. Too often the victims believe that the person in the picture is the actual scammer. He says that he even had victims go after his girlfriend online. In some cases, he says, victims will even physically track down the military member used in the picture.

    We’re sure we don’t have to instruct military members on how to conduct themselves on social media because they’re probably given guidelines for that all the time. However, if you want to protect yourself or someone you know from one of these scams, one of the best things you can do is a reverse image search. This will allow you to see if the picture being sent is one being used somewhere else online under a different name.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 16, 2019 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , military, military death,   

    Scam call frightens military family 

    Scam call frightens military family

    We’ve talked about some pretty underhanded scams in the past few years. Nothing seems to be lower than the virtual kidnapping scam where scammers try to convince you that one of your children has been kidnapped. There’s also the grandparent scam where scammers try to fool the elderly into giving them money by posing as one of their grandchildren in trouble. I think we can all agree that one group of people that should be immune from scams are those with family in the military. While these brave men and women are defending our country, they shouldn’t have to worry about their loved ones being scammed out of their savings or having their identity stolen.

    Recently, a man in North Dakota received a phone call telling him that his Marine son was killed on active duty. The scammers told the man that his son had died during live-fire practice. They then asked the man where he’d like to have his son’s remains shipped to before eventually asking for the man’s Social Security number. It wasn’t until after the man hung up that he realized he had been scammed. He was eventually able to reach his son who was fine. The man then took several steps to try to make sure his identity won’t be stolen.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKiBLNlfKUk%5D

    If the unthinkable were to happen and a service member is killed during active duty, a member of that branch of the military will personally visit the primary next of kin to inform them. Phone calls should only be received after a member of the military pays a personal visit to the family’s home. There have even been scams where people dressed in military uniforms have gone to people’s houses telling them that a service member in their family had died. So even if someone shows up to your home, you may want to make some phone calls first to confirm the news.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 2, 2019 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , military, ,   

    Malware attack targets veterans 

    Malware attack targets veterans

    Most online scams and attacks tend to target vulnerable groups of people such as the elderly, low-income families, and those in desperate need of a home. This new attack is no different, however, it’s targeting a group of people who have not only served their country but often find themselves needing resources more so than many other members of society. We’re of course talking about military veterans. Some of them are dealing with enough problems without having to deal with scammers and other bad actors but unfortunately, there are always people looking to take advantage of a bad situation.

    A number of internet security firms have reported that there is a malware attack floating around that targets veterans who are looking for employment. The veterans are lured to a site that resembles one run by the US Chamber of Commerce that is supposed to help veterans find work. Instead, this phony website infects the user’s computer with malware that is designed to steal personal that’s kept on the device. While it has not been determined what specific information is being stolen one can imagine the myriad of scams that information could be used for especially when it concerns someone who may be receiving government benefits or assistance. Sadly, this isn’t the only scam that targets veterans.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryjbgmD4Z2o%5D

    Another scam that veterans should be on the lookout for is the benefit buyout scam as shown in the video above. There are also scams promising refinancing on VA loans with bogus promises of low rates along with phishing attacks from phony emails that appear to be from the VA. That’s in addition to employment scams that are identical to the ones civilians fall prey to but in this case, they are specifically targeted at vets. If an offer sounds too good to be true it is recommended that you check with your local VA office for additional information.

     

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