Active military members and veterans made up 12% of scams in 2025, report finds

(WWAY) — Military service comes with unique challenges, from frequent relocations and deployments to transitioning back into civilian life. Unfortunately, those circumstances can also make military members, veterans, and their families attractive targets for scammers.

According to a Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas (BBB) report, consumers who identified as active-duty military personnel, military spouses, or veterans accounted for just 12% of published scam reports in 2025.

However, these consumers demonstrated a higher susceptibility to scams. BBB’s findings over the years have consistently pointed to an increased risk for military consumers.

Not only are they more likely to lose money when targeted by scammers, but their median financial losses tend to be higher.

While veterans submitted more reports than active-duty service members and military spouses, spouses reported a higher percentage of scams resulting in a financial loss. Active-duty service members reported the highest median dollar loss among the three groups.

Scams targeting military consumers:

• Employment scams: Veterans transitioning back into civilian life may be targeted by fake job offers that promise high salaries, flexible schedules, or guaranteed employment. Scammers may request upfront fees, personal information, or payment for unnecessary training and equipment.
• Investment scams: Veterans are attractive targets for investment schemes promising high returns with little risk. These offers can result in significant financial losses.
• High-priced military loans: Advertisements promising guaranteed approval, instant funding, or no credit checks may conceal excessive interest rates and fees. Legitimate lenders will not guarantee approval before reviewing an application. Be especially cautious of lenders demanding upfront fees.
• Veterans’ benefits buyout plans: These arrangements offer disabled veterans a lump-sum cash payment in exchange for a portion of their future disability benefits or pension payments. The payout may represent only a fraction of the total benefits the veteran would otherwise receive. Carefully review the terms and long-term financial consequences before agreeing to any arrangement.
• Expensive life insurance policies: Military members may face high-pressure sales tactics for costly or unnecessary life insurance policies. Some solicitors make misleading claims about policy benefits or suggest that coverage is required when it is not.

Through BBB Military Line, BBB provides consumer education and financial literacy resources designed specifically for service members, veterans, and their families.

To learn more about scams targeting military consumers and find tips to protect yourself, visit the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust’s Military and Veteran Consumer Information page.

Consumers who encounter a suspicious offer or believe they have been targeted by a scam can report their experience through BBB Scam Tracker.