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July is Military Consumer Month. This year, we’re focusing on fighting imposter scams – where a con artist pretends to be someone you trust, to convince you to send money or personal information. The scam can take many forms: imposters may say they’re calling from the government or from a business with technical support expertise. Other scammers lure unsuspecting victims by posing as legitimate users of online dating sites, or say that there’s an emergency with a friend or family member.

Scams can happen to anyone, including military consumers. According to the FTC’s most recent data, military consumers reported losing more than $25 million to imposter scams last year, with a median loss of $699 – higher than the $500 median loss reported by the general population.

During Military Consumer Month, we’ll post weekly tips for servicemembers, veterans and their families about some of the most common imposter scams. This month, you can help us help the military and veteran communities.

  • Share these posts. Help spread the word about avoiding scams.

  • Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and join one of our social media chats.

Post this video. Help your family and friends stay ahead of the scammers.

 

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Odell u
June 27, 2018
Yes that's true a lot of scam going on they will be caught
Charles Ealy
June 27, 2018
Useful information to know! Everybody has the potential of being scammed.
Mishel
July 02, 2018
I’ve been scammed by a guy posing as an American army animal care sergeant posted in sambisa rain forest he kept asking me for money claiming it was for Internet data to talk to me as couldn’t get to his bank account who do I report this to? Yours faithfully Mishel
Bobby
July 07, 2018
I'm trying to find out about soldiers in u s army in afghanistan when are they coming back home
Regina CasonI used
June 09, 2019

In reply to by Bobby

I used Instagram gt a friend request turned out big scammer goes by nelsonanderson99 but that's not him I don't believe he sent me 3 pictures I gt to only save 2 I saw 1 on scammers alert I believed at first stupid me didn't think about scammers says he's in Afghanistan in us air force soldier .
Tammy
July 11, 2018
The link for "share these posts" isn't working. Could you relink?
Donus477008683…
July 13, 2018
We all must Comlpy with the Law
Misaki
July 17, 2018
Yeah Bobby someone is chatting on me recently and he said he was from USA and a US Army too who assigned in Afghanistan and he asking my personal info just to send his money to me.. and it kinda weird that someone who you just met online sending all of his money? such idiot
GN
November 26, 2018

In reply to by Misaki

Someone is claiming to be high ranking USA officer Michelle Howard, wants to send money from some raid she and her officers did 2.2Million dollars. On what's app I have the Telephone number+1 301 712 9148. Is this a scam, I am very concerned. All received on What's App. I can provide proof and a section 9 statement.
kevin cook
July 30, 2018
Really it is very sad to hear about the scams. But i hope this awareness will make to stop the scam
Amanda
August 25, 2018
I trying to find a man with last name Thomas I want to let him know that he is been hacked, also someone scammer on me also I though it’s was him but it’s not! I need your help , how do I find real Thomas? To let him know that he is been hacked and stolen his profile!
Br1970
September 04, 2018
I've been texting with this person for 2 years, he was in Syria, took leave in Jan 2018, he's in Ghana now, he supposed to came back states but didn't, he received money two times for flight ticket, said it was stolen both times, he's still in Ghana, I have phone number he text from, he goes by name Thomas Sanders, Jeff Sanders, Miltary man, from Texas, so he said!!!is their any input or information on him,
lucky girl i t…
September 17, 2018
the guy trying to scamm me goes by,john sanders ,william sanders..i have looked for the real sanders and i have no luck..i just wanted for him to know whats happening but i guess he does ..but i have pictures oif the real sanders that the scammers sent to me..on hangout he went by lucky-boy
phoebe
September 23, 2018
have you ever encountered the us soldier michael zamora? he is trying to send me his cash bonus in a luggage coz terrorists in iraq ara trying to get it from him. he wants to get my name and address but I refused.
CatloverNZ
September 28, 2018
I can't believe how foolish I have been in forming an online relationship with a USA Soldier based in Afghanistan. I didn't want to face the possibility that he is a scammer. Yet I need to acknowledge that it's highly probable that I have been a victim. Is there an easy process to use to inform the military about the problem??? There should be a way to notify the Army about their soldier using scamming tactics to get money from vulnerable women. Surely they would like to know what is going on and even arrange for refunding the money he acquired through deception. The shame I feel is awful yet I think it's important to let people know so others won't get duped in the same way. How do I go about notifying the appropriate agency/people etc???
Stupid
October 22, 2018
One of them sounds like the guy I have been talking g to since January said he was a leiuteant in army in syria said his wife is dead and has a son in California was supposed to come home in july but didn't said he got promoted to general in Nigeria I stopped texting him on hangouts said his name was Michael Morgan
stupidjerk
November 29, 2018
I also was taken by someone saying he was a soldier in Kandahar Afghanistan. lots of pictures in his profile and his name was Nicholas J Townsend. That was between end of September and October. I really thought I was talking to a real soldier. He got me, and I sent him $2700.00 He was going to send me lots of money for me to hold for him with some one call David Geary until he could come to the USA. But he needed some money for a certificate in order to get here with no problem. Then he said He needed another $8700.00 for something else. That's when I woke up of this nightmare. I try looking for this soldier's picture but no luck. I feel like a real stupid jerk. and very ashamed of myself.
geoffwernha
February 01, 2019
There is a youngkaren6 On Instagram looks legit, saying she is in Afghanistan, she chatted through WhatsApp, and asked me to load a iTunes card so she can get a flight. I haven't transferred anything but that person is still on Instagram, and use an American phone number
Debado
December 02, 2018
In a relationship with general Austin Scott Miller. Needs money to get his money released from U.N. IS this a scam?
Patooty
January 26, 2020

In reply to by Debado

I have just been friended by General Austin Scott Miller via Facebook. Please tell me what this scam is all about
Dear
July 05, 2020

In reply to by Debado

I’ve been in a relationship with gen Austin Scott Miller since the 1st day of feb 2020 says he needs money to get his portfolio and that he needs steam cards to do his paperwork is this a scam he ask me to marry him says he is going to come home to me
Scam
September 27, 2020

In reply to by Dear

Same here. Says he loves my smile. Says he has a 14 year old daughter Emily. Calls me baby,sweetheart and more.
meliodchat
December 10, 2019
I have been in a relationship with a man for a year and a half who started out as someone in the Army in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq. He says he is a professional soldier who is 59. He is now saying he is actually a mercenary. He has asked me for a little help along the way but nothing much to speak of. He now says he wants to come home and is finished with his mission. He needs $500 for a plane ticket and $250 for transportation to the airport where he is and then when he gets home. I don't mind helping with that but wonder if he is for real. I have read that mercenaries have to pay for their own way to and from and don't really know what to think about this guy. He said he doesn't have access to his funds until he gets home and can sign all of the documents he needs to in order to get paid. He has a daughter and mother who are in North Carolina according to him. I have done a reverse search on his pictures but can't find anything on him. His name is James Cagle. His email is cagle. cagle@ . Has anyone every heard how things work with mercenaries? Should I help him home or is it a scam? Frustrated and wondering what to do.
Terrsa
June 09, 2020

In reply to by meliodchat

This is definitely a scam. Sounds like scam relationship i was in I talked to a military lawyer. All military personnel are sent home by the military planes or paid for flights by military gov't. Also they say they dont have access to their own money. This is completely false. Also they can have a military email address. This is provided for them so they dont get scammed. Also my scammer said he wanted to send me a military box containing all his money and some gold nuggets etc so it wont be stolen. Says military does not provide a secure place to store their private belongings. Of course this is not true. The military box coming was a lie. I got an official looking ticket from a courier saying they needed $1800 more to get the box here. That was ALL BOGUS. so glad i wasnt able to borrow the money. I went to Just Answer and talked to a military lawyer and he told me about the military scam. Be careful if you contact them you can get a 7 day free trial but DONT ASK TO SPEAK IN PERSON only chat as you will get charged $84. Good luck AND DONT PAY FOR ANYTHING
knowbetter
January 15, 2019
Be on the outlook ladies for Williams Frank Mike also known as George Parker who is station in Syria he has a son who is in boarding school but needs itune cards to update his phone and download music while serving. Carl Christopher who is in Syria working for the UNICEF needs information to, so he can send his money to you but needs 550.00 dollars to send his money. He is from Germany has a son who is in boarding school in NY. These guys are sending friend request on Facebook and talks to you for a while on messenger and then once you start talking to them on the app Hangouts they promise you the world, money, traveling, romantic saying, pictures and will even call you on your phone using the video camera but for some reason most of the time it is because of security they say is the reason you can't hear them and then on day 3 or so they will text you with some kind of a emergency they need your help with money and will even tell you their children needs the money for lunch or school. When I google the questions they would ask....It was a scam. So I would do a screenshot and send it to them and boy they don't like that. They become very upset ! Thank goodness I did NOT send any money to them. I am sending this in hopes that it helps someone out. Oh and if you mention seeing people getting scam from the news or TV shows they don't like that either.
Katy
January 29, 2019
General Austin Scott Miller asking for Business Plan because he has millions in the bank from crude deals he made in Asia . Bogus Twitter Account. I think they are using him to get to women because he is handsome
Helveston1953
April 23, 2019

In reply to by Katy

I've been txting General Austin Scott Miller sense August 2018 he say he needs money to pay DOD so he can get a vacation leave to come to states is this true or a scam
Suman
May 29, 2019

In reply to by Helveston1953

I do not know if the person is same but someone by the name General Austin Scott Miller has been asking for money to pay for his vacation. I stopped texting him a few months back but couple of weeks he once again contacted me for help to treat his ailing daughter.
Chasidy003
August 12, 2019

In reply to by Suman

I want to know I this General Austin Scott Miller is a scam r is he the real deal
debbiedogood
October 09, 2019

In reply to by Chasidy003

General Miller has been texting me since July 27 2019. Now he wants 20K for a vacation. He is for sure a scammer. It really makes me angry. Sorry. I understand.
Cat55
August 14, 2020

In reply to by Helveston1953

Scam! I’m sorry. He tried with me too. When I questioned him and told him about the scams he wanted me to deactivate my FB account. He got upset because he said I didn’t trust him. So yeah it’s a scam. Whoever it is it’s not General Miller. I googled General Miller, told my scam artist I did and he demanded I not do it again. For my own protection.
katy
February 07, 2019
Do anyone talk to a David Luis also a soldier in Afganistan? He is on instagram with few photos
Lindbury
May 22, 2020
A General Douglas Miller has been trying to get 3000 from to fly to LA. Sent a picture of Austin S. Miller from a few years ago. The scam is really good loving and flowery C omments send poems and songs. I hope you catch him.
Jody
August 18, 2020
well, someone named General Austin Miller , started a Words with Friends game with me, then looked me up on FB messenger today, but only entered his name as Austin Miller when I asked for his email address , he said I am not his mate and called me a jerk. and deleted all his information. Tell me if I was a high official with the US army would I be posting my name as General Austin Miller....nope maybe I would use A. Miller or perhaps my second name,
Maria
September 03, 2020
How can I find the guy I'm talking on email and hangouts it's real a military guy . He tell me his name and he tells me he is a Sargent commander in Kabul Afghanistan?
Soulful
November 20, 2020
I have been in online relationship with General Austin Scott Miller for several months. After retiring he is flying from Afghanistan to meet and marry me. He was suppose to be here two weeks ago for a vacation but had to postpone because his retirement would be pushed back if he took a vacation now. His flight is 21 hours long and will arrive here tonight.
HurtHusband
November 20, 2020

In reply to by Soulful

My wife entered into same online romance with General Austin Miller. He told her the same thing and she just sent out 5,500.00 to cover the cost of shipping his suitcases of money to her address. Now she wants a divorce after 20 years of marriage because she is in love with this person. This is a SCAM, it is all over the internet.
Shirley Familetti
November 22, 2020
I have been contacted by General Austin Miller trying to scam me out of money to ship their things home for safe keeping but any who has common sense knows if they where there on deployment then the Government will send there things home but they tried to tell me there was Gold in with all their paper work
apayne24
December 29, 2020
He tried me too ladies. Said his wife and son are dead and he is raising his grandson. He stated that he would be retiring at the end of this year and he is looking to settle down. This man is using General Miller's military history like it's really his own. He was texting about what he wants in a wife any everthing. But what got me was some of the misspelled words. A man that educated is not going to misspell simple words. Something just didn't seem right. He's emailing me from austinmilla7410@gmail.com on Hang Out. I don't know if that's the same email address he used to email you.
Couldashoulda
January 03, 2021

In reply to by apayne24

Hi, apayne24. This is one busy scammer. "He" was messaging me at the same time. Different story: he lost his wife in a car accident 8 years ago, and only has one son left in this world, who he has not seen for 10 years. Yet, he says, he cooks up his favorite recipes of baked potatoes or fried rice for his son when he sees him. When someone starts messaging by saying, "I'm a major general," you just know immediately this person is full of baloney. Misspelling is a big tip-off. Sheesh!
ladyrae
September 08, 2021

In reply to by Couldashoulda

this Austin Miller had his profile pic & some info used by over 300 or 600 (forget now) scammers so far. read on military scammers & scammer alert groups on Facebook. I've really been into joining, reading & searching for General James Henry US army Genereral
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