The Trusted Scout: Presidential Campaign- Polls, Donations, and Scams

The Trusted Scout header

September 2012, VOL II, Issue 19

In This Month's Issue

The VA Loan Process in Five Steps

Presidential Campaign: Polls, Donation Requests, and, of course... SCAMS

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

BBB Military Line greatly appreciates support from the The USAA Educational Foundation, without whom, our efforts on behalf of military consumers would not be possible.

Army Sgt. Fernando Diaz crawls under barbed wire while completing the confidence course during the 2012 Pacific Regional Medical Command Best Medic Competition on Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii, Aug. 29, 2012. Diaz, a combat medic, is assigned to the 568th Medical Company. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth.

SCAM ALERTS!

Presidential Campaign: Polls, Donation Requests, and, Of Course... SCAMS

With presidential campaign going prime time, it's time to put up your deflector shields for election year scams.
Scammers angle for opportunities when their pitches will seem most believable and close enough to the background noise that consumers are less likely to filter them out. One such tactic is the phony public opinion poll.

***

Payday Lending Scams Targets Consumers

Several states, including Colorado, have been affected by a payday loan scam allegedly conducted by a company called Qxlonline.com. They have an "F" rating with the BBB...

    ***

Scam Alert - Virus Freezes Computers and Demands $200 Fine

A new virus posing as an FBI alert is freezing computers and alarming users across the country. Infected computers display a shocking pop-up that tells owners they have illegal materials on their PCs and demands a $200 fine.

Editor's Note: "The Trusted Scout," is here to serve you. Have a suggestion? Contact us here. We hope you enjoy!

MILITARY CONSUMER

ISSUES & INITIATIVES

The VA Loan Process in Five Steps

Start: Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility. Your lender should be able to get you your certificate of eligibility. However, it is quite easy to obtain this document yourself by downloading, completing, and mailing along with a copy of your DD214. You can access a certificate of eligibility here.

For Service Members Pondering Early Retirement, Costs Can Pinch Home Budget

Amid the ongoing exit of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, more service members are mulling a shift to the civilian work force and asking the key financial question: What will I miss if I walk away from my military pension?

How to Spot Investment Scams

Investment fraud criminals use a wide array of sophisticated and highly effective tactics to get people to part with their money. Learn how to spot those techniques in this video, and help protect not just yourself but friends, neighbors and family members.

Four Reasons to Sign Up - Roth TSP

You may not realize it yet, but the long-delayed Roth alternative to the Thrift Savings Plan could be an exciting new addition to your retirement toolkit.

Petraeus Gives Alaska Troops Financial Advice
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - As a young military couple, David and Holly Petraeus had to have a "hot" car while they were stationed in Italy. Turns out they got a costly lemon in the sporty English Jensen-Healey they chose, the wife of the CIA director and former top U.S. commander in Iraq said Wednesday.

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga sits off the coast of White Beach Naval Facility as the U.S. flag flies from amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 30, 2012. Tortuga is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Russell.

As a partner in the Joining Forces Initiative and DOD Financial Readiness Campaign, BBB Military Line^® brings BBB consumer education and services to military personnel (including Reservists and National Guard), retirees, DoD civilians, and their families.