"Trusted Scout": BBB Military Monthly Consumer News and Alerts.

July 2013 l Volume III l Issue 7

IN THIS MONTH'S EDITION:

Mission: Family | Legal Guide Spells Out Rights, Reveals Resources

Understanding the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

National Fraud Investigation Agency Solicits Phony Debt Collections

"Clickjacking": The Art of Hiding a Scam in Plain Sight

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and sailors assigned to the USS Kearsarge display the American flag in a ceremony to commemorate Independence Day on the flight deck of the Kearsarge, at sea in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, July 4, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Travis DiPerna

BBB MILITARY LINE *SUSTAINING PARTNER* SPOTLIGHT

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SCAM ALERTS!

National Fraud Investigation Agency Solicits Phony Debt Collections

BBB wants to warn consumers about National Fraud Investigation Agency. Consumers tell BBB they are getting collection calls from National Fraud Investigation Agency for loans they never took out.

Phishing Scam Fools Consumers with Fake Satisfaction Survey

Watch out for this latest attempt to trick you into parting with your personal and/or banking information: fake customer satisfaction surveys. Scammers are posing as businesses interested in getting feedback from their clients. But they are really after information that can be used for identity theft.

"Clickjacking": The Art of Hiding a Scam in Plain Sight

Even savvy computer users can fall for "clickjacking," the latest trick that hides a scam on a seemingly safe webpage. It works by making victims think they are clicking a harmless link, when they are really activating a scam.

WHO WE SERVE

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division ready their gear prior to jumping from Air Force C-130J Hercules during a Joint Operation Access exercise June 24, 2013, at Pope Field, N.C. A total of 2,426 paratroopers jumped out of C-130Js assigned to Dyess, Air Force Base, Texas, during the 12-day exercise. JOAX is a combined military training exercise designed to prepare Airmen and Soldiers to respond to worldwide crises and contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Damon Kasberg)

MILITARY CONSUMER

ISSUES & INITIATIVES

Mission: Family | Legal Guide Spells Out Rights, Reveals Resources

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. The American Bar Association's new "Legal Guide for Military Families: Everything You Need to Know About Family Law, Estate Planning, and the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act" aims to deliver that ounce of prevention to help troops and families avoid problems along the road of military life.

To order book: http://amzn.to/1aW0HBl

How to Read a VA Appraisal

When a VA lender evaluates a loan application, there's quite a bit of information to go over. The lender will verify your income by reviewing copies of your most recent paycheck stubs and look at two years' worth of income taxes plus your W2 forms. One of the tenets of VA loans is determining affordability so the lender will take a close look at your income compared to your monthly obligations.

Understanding the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA) expanded and improved the former Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act (SSCRA). The SCRA provides a wide range of protections for individuals entering, called to active duty in the military, or deployed service members. It is intended to postpone or suspend certain civil obligations to enable service members to devote full attention to duty and relieve stress on the family members of those deployed service members.

Planning for Financial Health after Deployment

Homecoming is an exciting time as you reconnect with family and friends and reintegrate to life stateside. During this readjustment period, it's important that you revisit your financial affairs since your income and monthly expenses will change now that you are no longer serving in a combat environment.
Read more

Military Families Optimistic About Economy; for Now

Military families are falling in line with broad public optimism about the economy and the future of their own financial lives -- at least for now, according to a recent survey by a corporation that assists troops with financial planning.

SCAM ALERTS Continued...

Has Your Pinterest Password been "Successfully Changed?"

A new phishing scam is targeting Pinterest users. If you have a Pinterest account and receive an email notifying you of a successful password reset, think twice before clicking to see this alleged new password. See an example of a phishing email targeting Pinterest users.

6 Ways to Avoid Data Charges While Traveling

For many, summer is synonymous with traveling. So before you head out on your adventures abroad, learn how to cut down those expensive cell phone charges.

Mashable provides tips on eliminating roaming charges and minimizing data usage.

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