FTC launches military consumer data tool

Federal Issues FTC Servicemembers Consumer Finance Fraud Enforcement

On July 13, the FTC released an interactive military dashboard (updated quarterly) that explores data received from active duty servicemembers, veterans, and all military (including military families and reservists) on issues they may experience in the marketplace. Government imposter was the top reported scam type for active duty military personnel, followed by unwanted telemarketing calls, business imposters, online shopping and counterfeit check scams. Other top report categories included identity theft, credit bureaus, third party debt collection, credit cards, mortgage lending, and creditor debt collection. Additionally, reports from the Consumer Sentinel Network showed that from 2015 through the first two quarters of 2020, the median fraud loss for veterans and retirees was $750. The FTC noted that it uses these reports as part of its law enforcement investigations and shares the reports with law enforcement users around the country.