Fraud and scams are affecting New Jerseyans on a daily basis, including our active military service members and retired veterans. In some way, those who are currently serving our country, along with their families, may be ideal targets for fraudsters looking to take advantage of the need for services, family assistance during lengthy deployment, or other needs unique to service members and their families. Veterans are also being targeted by fraudsters who are posing as representatives of Veterans Affairs, VA Hospitals, or others making false promises of special discounts for veterans or employment. In addition, other scammers are posing as military service members, veterans, or charities supporting our military to take advantage of the goodwill of the people of this State. Anyone who thinks they are getting scammed should contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5845 and report these scams.

In order to support military service members and the State's veteran community, the Division of Consumer Affairs has created military-specific consumer education materials that describe some of the scams that are targeting members of our active military service members and retired veterans. In addition, the Division plans to hold a series of consumer education presentations at various military installations in the state and for various veterans groups. If you are interested in scheduling such an event, please contact our Outreach Director, Melanie Hazim.

• Current Scams to Watch Out For
  Descriptions of scams arising from: Veterans Charities Scams; Veterans Affairs, Defense Finance and Accounting Services (“DFAS”), or VA Hospital Phishing Scams; U.S. Army CID Phishing Scams and tips on how to avoid such scams.

• Additional Scams to Watch Out For
  Descriptions of scams arising from "Paying for Free Services" Scams; Discount Scams; Fake Jobs Scams and tips on how to avoid such scams.

• "Military" Scams Targeting the General Public
  Descriptions of scams arising from: Funds for Service Members Scams; Online Dating Scams; Charities Scams; Online Dating Scams; Saddam Hussein/Osama Bin Laden Hidden Fortune and tips on how to avoid such scams.

• Ten RED FLAGS  that it Might be a SCAM
  A simple list of red flags for active service members and veterans to watch out for when they are solicited in person, by phone call, by mail, or through the internet.

• Important Contact Information
  Use these contacts if you suspect FRAUD.