August 2013 Trusted Scout featuring "BBBs in Action." BBB Events Exclusively for Military Personnel!

August 2013 l Volume III l Issue 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Furloughed Government Employees Targeted By Government Grant Scam

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Bellamy provides security for casualties as MV-22 Osprey aircrafts land nearby during a mass casualty evacuation exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 7, 2013. Bellamy, an assistant supply warehouse chief, is assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the aircrews are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, Reinforced. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard

BBB MILITARY LINE *SUSTAINING PARTNER* SPOTLIGHT

Many thanks to Capital One for supporting BBB Military Line and for sponsoring our financial readiness efforts on behalf of all military consumers around the world. Visit Capital One's "New Team-New Mission" for information about their military Veteran and Family employment opportunities today!

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

BBBs in ACTION!

Military Appreciation Night" at the CT Tigers Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT was hosted and sponsored by our BBB Serving Connecticut. Military families were treated to a great Tigers' double-header baseball game against the Lowell Spinners of Lowell Massachusetts. The evening's festivities included an exhibition of our BBB wrapped vehicle, hundreds of BBB Military Line giveaways, and a luxury box that accommodated local BBB Accredited Businesses. At a recent BBB Military Line training session held at Navy Sub Base in Groton, attendees were offered the opportunity to receive two adult tickets and access to the BBB Luxury Box at the Military Appreciation Night games. Lt. Chris Waits and his family were the lucky recipients! Lt. Waits brought his wife, 4 year old daughter and infant son. A total of 3,625 people were on hand to experience the game and receive valuable BBB Military Line military consumer information materials.

This month's contribution to our new "BBBs in Action" column was submitted by Denise K. Nelson, Director of Ad Review & Investigations for BBB Serving CT. For more information and photos about this great event, check out CT BBB's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CTBBB

WHO WE SERVE

U.S. sailors watch as U.S. Navy Lt. Josh McLaughlin, foreground, signals for an aircraft to launch from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Atlantic Ocean, July 31, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Haraz N. Ghanbari

MILITARY CONSUMER

ISSUES & INITIATIVES

Veterans Virtual Career Fair

The event will be held from August 27th-29th and is free to our veteran community. Help move your career to the next level and find your next job at this virtual event. Register now to complete your profile which can be used to connect with employers when the fair begins.

To Read more & register

GI Bill Tuition Cap Increased

Those who are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to fund their education at a private college or university saw their annual maximum tuition cap increased to $19,198.31 per academic year. Last year's annual maximum was $18,077.50. Those attending state operated schools will continue to get up to the full in-state resident tuition and fees covered under the GI Bill.

DoD Looks for Ways to Scale Back BAH

Yet such a change would likely have many ripple effects. It would likely increase competition for on-base housing, which is already in short supply in many places. And it might make some duty assignments more or less desirable based on the local cost of living.

Justice Department Targeting Online Payday Lenders

The U.S. Department of Justice is going after online lenders and other questionable financial services by targeting the banks that service short-term, high-interest loans.
Read more

Commissaries Return to Normal Hours Aug. 18-24!

Great news for Military families! Military commissaries worldwide will return to normal operating schedules the week of Aug. 18-24.

SCAM ALERTS

"Pet Flipping" Criminals Are Cashing in on Lost Dogs

According to TODAY, criminals are finding lost dogs and using them to turn a profit rather than returning them to their owner.

Advance-Fee Loans

Looking for a loan or credit card but don't think you'll qualify? Have you been turned down by a bank because of your poor credit history? You may be tempted by ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards, regardless of your credit history. Rule number one: Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you are likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy.

Avoid "Bait and Switch" from a Home Contractor

This past weekend, his column really hit home (pardon the pun): a reader wrote in about being charged for solid-core interior doors but being given hollow-core doors. He also was charged significantly more for the installation than he had been quoted.

"Sliding" Theft on the Rise

While you're fueling up your car, thieves approach the opposite side of your unlocked vehicle and snatch your purse and other belongings before you even turn around.

Furloughed Government Employees Targeted By Government Grant Scam

The Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia & the CSRA is warning government employees that they may be targeted by scammers due to their furlough status. The BBB is hearing from consumers who say that they are receiving calls informing them that because they are a furloughed employee they are entitled to tax free grants of up to $9000. Of course, the grants are nonexistent and the scammers are really after account numbers or advance fees.

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.