MilConsumer Blog Feed

Military Consumer Protection Day is right around the corner! Mark your calendars for July 17. To get in gear, we’re hosting a Twitter Chat June 26 at 2pm (EDT)

Are you a servicemember who’s curious about credit? Or are you dealing with debt? Maybe you’re a military spouse who wants some tips on managing money. Then join us for a Twitter chat about consumer protection issues on June 19 at 2 p.m, Eastern.

Calling all military families and veterans! Are you looking to protect yourself or your family from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Maybe you’re curious about the best way to use credit, shop for a used car, or maximize your security online. Military folks are consumers, too – and critical to the economy. Just ask the 1.4 million men and women on active duty or the 1.1 million in the National Guard and Reserve forces. But the unique challenges of military life – frequent relocation, separation from family and friends, and the stresses of deployment – can make military households an attractive target for scam artists. In fact, during 2012 the Federal Trade Commission logged more than 62,000 complaints from servicemembers, veterans, and spouses about their experiences in the marketplace. That led the FTC and its partners to sponsor Military Consumer Protection Day on July 17, 2013.

Our Robocall Challenge generated advice we wanted to share, from consumers who say they’re using certain tricks to stop these harassing calls now. Here are some tips to help you reduce robocalls.

Last year, we asked people about their experiences with 17 types of fraud, and learned that nearly 11 percent of U.S. adults, or an estimated 25.6 million people, had paid for fraudulent products and services in 2011.

During the past few years, consumers have complained to the Federal Trade Commission about debt collection more than just about any other single topic. It’s no surprise, then, that when we asked legal services attorneys and non-profits across the country what issues resonate most with the people they see, credit and debt topped that list, too.

There is no new cell phone national do not call database. There is only one National Do Not Call Registry . It is operated by the Federal Trade Commission and covers both cell and landline phone numbers.