Congressman Patronis Recognizes Military Consumer Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis recognized the month of July as Military Consumer Month. Military Consumer Month was first established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2013 to raise awareness of the financial challenges that active-duty military personnel and veterans face at home and abroad, and warn servicemembers, veterans, and their families to stay vigilant against financial scams and fraud. According to the FTC, military consumers have reported losing more than $584 million to fraud in 2024. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, please report it immediately at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.

Congressman Jimmy Patronis said, “Military Consumer Month is a great time for service members, veterans, and military families to prioritize their finances and be aware of fraudsters who want to steal directly from their pockets. Florida is a hotbed for scam artists, making the military personnel and veterans who call Northwest Florida home prime targets for fraud. I encourage our active-duty military personnel to consider developing savings plans that will benefit their future. Likewise, I urge our veterans in Northwest Florida to spend wisely and take the precautions necessary to prevent becoming victims of fraud. These heroes have worked hard and made great sacrifices for our country, and we owe it to them to ensure they’re financially sound after their years of service. If you’re a veteran, active-duty, or a military family member, please visit MilitaryConsumer.gov today, financially plan for your future, and educate yourself on how to steer clear of fraud.” 

Military Consumer Month Tips to Avoid Scams 

• Do not respond to unknown numbers. Scammers can impersonate people you know, or even well-known financial institutions, to trick you into sharing private information.
• Resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.
• Use caution when using payment apps. Never pay someone who insists that you can only pay with cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, a payment app, or a gift card.
• Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone, such as a friend, family member, neighbor, or fellow service member, about what is happening. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.