November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office is sharing resources to help veterans, service members and their families avoid falling victim to scams and other fraudulent schemes.
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 Consumer Sentinel Network report, military veterans and families suffered approximately $477 million in losses to fraud nationwide last year.
“Our service members risk their lives to defend our country, and their families carry the burden of holding things down at home while their soldiers are away,” Moody said in a press release. “The last thing they need are scammers trying to exploit the service of their heroes.
“In recognition of National Military Family Appreciation Month, we are highlighting free resources available to the families of Florida service members to help them spot and avoid scams designed to exploit military service.”
Moody office has published a Military Consumer Protection Resource Guide to assist Florida service members and veterans. Not only does the guide contain information about common military-related scams, it offers guidance on laws and agencies that provide specific protections for members of the military.
To access the Military Consumer Protection Resource Guide, click here.
The AG’s office also has a Military and Veterans Assistance Program to help educate military members, veterans and their families on the types of scams that target the military community. MVAP team members work directly with service members, veterans and families who are targeted to help resolve consumer protection matters.
Since 2019, MVAP has recovered nearly $3.7 million for service members, ranging from issues such as gaining access to Veterans Affairs benefits, recuperating from home damages due to hurricanes, reporting various military-targeted scams and more. For more information on MVAP, click here.
Also, the Florida Veterans Legal Helpline is available and free for all eligible military veterans and families living in Florida who need services or have a pending legal issue. The helpline provides legal advice on various civil legal matters and employs attorneys accredited by the VA. The Florida Veterans Legal Helpline can be reached at 1(866) 486-6161.
The office also has published Scams at a Glance: Protect Our Patriots to help teach service members and their families about common and emerging military-related scams. To view Scams at a Glance: Protect Our Patriots, click here.
Scams and deceptive business practices targeting service members, veterans and their families can be reported to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.