The FTC says scammers use what veterans share on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to look believable. A few quick changes can protect your money.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put out a Veterans Day reminder: scammers use social media to reach veterans. The same posts that help you stay in touch with old friends and family can also give a stranger a way in.
Nothing new was announced. This is a timely reminder from the FTC, the federal agency that handles consumer protection. It names Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. For many veterans, these apps are an easy way to keep up with people from past duty stations and loved ones back home.
Details you share can make a scammer sound real. Posts about where you served or about your family give someone a script to work from. A message that mentions the right base or the right relative may feel safe, even when it comes from a stranger.
Veterans and their families who use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and similar apps. If you rarely post or keep your profile locked down, you have less to worry about. If you share often and publicly, this applies to you most.
The alert box above lists the steps. In short: tighten your privacy settings, share less about your service and family, and pause before replying to anyone who asks for money or personal details.
The material available does not describe a specific scam, a number of victims or any dollar losses. The FTC's reminder is general, so the best defense is simple habits rather than a fix for one known threat.
Lock down your social media profiles, share less about your service and family, and pause before answering any stranger who asks for money.
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