Guard against fraud and make better financial decisions for Military Consumer Protection Month

This year, the national Military Consumer campaign has designated July as Military Consumer Protection Month.  This annual event was first launched in 2013 as Military Consumer Protection Day by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a way to raise awareness about identity theft crimes impacting service members, but now its  become a national month-long campaign supported by more than 50 partners .    

Military Consumer campaign partners include federal and state agencies, consumer advocates, and military support groups from around the country. We’ve joined forces with them to highlight and promote free financial resources that can help servicemembers, military families and veterans manage their money and protect their credit.

Websites and interactive tools for your consumer financial needs

To mark this year’s observance, Military Consumer will be updating its website with featured tips on 25 military finance topics with links to partner resources.  You should also visit the CFPB’s interactive consumer tools: Owning a Home, Paying for College, Planning for Retirement, or Taking Control of Your Auto Loan. If you’re just looking for answers to frequently-asked financial questions, visit Ask CFPB.

Explore free resources and get local support

Taking a look at CFPB’s servicemember resources or contacting a DoD military personal financial manager  can be a great first stop for military members who have financial questions or want to submit a consumer complaint. There are also local resources that can help to expand your first line of defense:

• State consumer protection offices - Check out your state attorney general’s office for consumer protection and servicemember resources. You can also file a complaint with them. Some states centralize consumer protection services under a separate state government office such as the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
  
• Better Business Bureau - The BBB’s Military Line consumer education program provides free financial literacy resources to servicemembers and veterans.
  
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - If you need tips on how to invest safely or spot investment fraud, visit FINRA’s Investor Education Foundation

This year, make each day of this Military Consumer Protection Month a step forward on your path to being a smarter and safer consumer by exploring all that the CFPB and Military Consumer have to offer you.