ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) – The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is reminding active service members and veterans to be alert for scams targeting the military community.
There are different forms of these scams including fake financial services, identity theft, and online shopping.
According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, these scams cost service members and their families $267 million dollars in 2021, a 162 percent increase from the previous year.
With this in mind, The department recommends the following scam prevention tips…
- Putting an “active duty alert” on your credit report to minimize risk for identity theft
- Doing research on where you make your purchases
- Know who you are dealing with
If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, a scam or have questions about whom you are dealing with, contact the Division’s Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 on Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays.
You may also file a consumer complaint any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
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