New Scam Targets Army Soldiers
Did you know that almost half of Americans experience some form of financial identity theft every year? Scams are incredibly common, and some of them can be very hard to spot. One of the newest scams targets Army soldiers using peer-to-peer money transfer apps.
Knowing about the latest scam techniques can help you avoid becoming a victim of them. Learn about the scam currently targeting Army soldiers and what to do if these scammers contact you.
The Most Recent Scam Targeting Soldiers
At the end of 2022, two Army bases, Fort Benning and Fort Huachuca, released posts on social media warning of a new scam targeting soldiers. West Point also released a statement about the scam, although to date, none of its cadets have been impacted.
The scam seems to target new recruits who have just completed boot camp and received their first assignments. So far, 74 soldiers have been scammed out of over $140,000.
The Army is warning all new recruits to be on alert for grifts like this and requesting that they report if they receive a call from a potential scammer.
How Does the Scam Work?
This latest Army-focused scam uses peer-to-peer money transfer apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle.
Once a new soldier receives their first assignment, the scammers call them claiming to be from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and tell them they have back pay that they can collect. But before they can get their money, they have to pay an outstanding debt via one of these money transfer apps.
These scammers rely on a combination of bravado and recruits’ inexperience to make the grift work. The new soldiers aren’t yet familiar enough with military procedure to be 100 percent certain that this is suspicious. And if the soldier questions the scammers, they threaten the soldier with punishment and throw around official-sounding terms that make their claim seem legitimate.
Red Flags
Although these scammers are very good at what they do, there are a few red flags soldiers can look for that will show they’re being scammed.
First and foremost, the Army has confirmed that it will never ask soldiers to pay debts or collect back pay via peer-to-peer money transfer apps. If a stranger claiming to be military personnel is demanding money through one of these apps, hang up the phone and report the incident.
Scammers also tend to be aggressive and pushy about getting you to take action right away. They want you to send the money before you’ve had time to think or to talk to anyone to confirm what they’re saying.
If someone is pushing you to send them money right away, it’s a good sign you need to step back and double-check the situation.
What to Do If You’re Contacted
If you’re contacted by someone who you think is a scammer, the first thing to do is hang up the phone and ignore their demands. Then get in touch with your chain of command, military police, local police, or the military Criminal Investigation Division. You can also submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission or to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Above all, never send a stranger money through a peer-to-peer money transfer app without checking on their credentials. Oftentimes, money sent through those channels is unrecoverable. Since you sent the money voluntarily, it isn’t seen as fraud and you likely won’t be reimbursed.
Other Common Military Scams
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only scam targeting soldiers.
The CID also recently warned soldiers about “sextortion” schemes, where a scammer will threaten to publish sensitive material (often nude photos of the soldier) online unless they’re paid off. They’ll often work through dating sites and establish a romantic connection with their target first in order to get this material.
Other scammers offer “discounts” on fees to acquire military or medical records when, in reality, these records are free for service members to obtain.
Some pretend to be VA employees confirming a service member’s personal information when, in reality, they’re gathering information to steal their identity.
And several common scams revolve around military education grants, pensions, and benefits.
Discuss Your Case with an Expert
Scams can be hard to spot and may leave you financially devastated if you don’t catch them quickly enough. Never send a stranger money through a peer-to-peer money transfer app without verifying that they’re legitimate. And if you receive a request for one of these transfers from someone claiming to be with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, hang up and report the incident to your chain of command right away.
If you’re in the military and facing legal trouble, our lawyers are here to help. We have nearly two decades of combined experience defending soldiers and veterans facing criminal charges. Schedule a free consultation with us today and get the representation you deserve.