MilConsumer Blog Feed

We appreciate and respect the sacrifices that members of our military and their families make for our country, but unfortunately there are some people who try to take advantage of our men and women in uniform. The Second Annual Military Consumer Protection Day is July 16 and my office is joining with government organizations and businesses across the country to raise awareness about problems that target military consumers. Men and women currently serving in our Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves are often young, away from home for the first time and earning their first steady paycheck. Unfortunately, this can make them a prime target for scams and frauds.

Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper is joining government agencies, advocacy organizations, and private sector groups to celebrate the second annual Military Consumer Protection Day, July 16, 2014. "Servicemembers make incredible sacrifices for our country and it is only right that we protect these men and women from unscrupulous business practices here at home," said Attorney General Cooper. "I am confident efforts like Military Consumer Protection Day will raise awareness of the helpful resources and assistance available for servicemembers." This broad coalition is sharing tips and information about managing money, dealing with credit and debt, building savings, protecting personal information, recognizing identity theft and avoiding fraud. Read the full press release .

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced her office will host a financial resource fair with the Illinois Joining Forces Financial Literacy Working Group to recognize Military Consumer Protection Day on Wednesday. Madigan's Military and Veterans Rights Bureau and other advocates who are members of the Illinois Joining Forces Financial Literacy Working Group will be available in the atrium of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today to provide information and answer questions for veterans, service members and their families. Read the full press release .

So you’ve just received orders, and you’re due to deploy. Before you go, there are a number of steps you should take to protect your family and financial future. Know your rights. The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides protection for active military servicemembers. The law’s purpose is to postpone or suspend certain civil obligations so active duty members of the Armed Forces can focus their full attention on their military responsibilities without adverse consequences for them or their families.

In case you haven’t heard, Military Consumer Protection Day (MCPD) is on July 16th this year. If you’re not familiar with MCPD, this is a great chance to learn about the organizations and resources that can help you protect and grow your hard-earned military pay or veterans benefits.

To help celebrate the second annual MCPD, MilitarySaves, the Department of Defense, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission will host a town hall/Twitter chat at 2 p.m. EST, July 16. To join the conversation, which is focused on identity theft and credit-related issues, submit questions using the hashtag #MCPD2014 .

The State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange will be hosting a consumer fair on Wednesday, July 16 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Pearl Harbor NEX at 4725 Bougainville Drive.

Military and civilian consumers with access to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are invited to attend an Informational Fair at the Wright-Patt Club (Daedalian Room) from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM . During the Fair, consumer experts and advocates will be available to answer questions and distribute free resources. Following the Fair, between 12:45 PM and 2:30 PM, there will be three brief presentations about recognizing, avoiding and reporting identity theft, consumer scams, and investment fraud, followed by an open Q&A session.

Frequent relocation, separation from family and friends, the stresses of deployment and a steady paycheck from Uncle Sam can make military households an attractive target for scam artists. That’s why the Department of Defense, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Servicemember Affairs, and Military Saves have joined to sponsor Military Consumer — a campaign to empower military and veteran communities with tips and tools to be informed consumers.

Booking a hotel stay for a summer vacation? Before you check in, check out how scammers try to take advantage of travelers.