The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Hawaii residents about scams targeting military members and veterans after a recent report showed significant financial losses. According to KHON2's report, the BBB received 305 scam reports from active-duty military personnel and veterans residing in Hawaii during 2024, with total reported losses reaching $23,000.
Cameron Nakashima of the BBB highlights that these scams often exploit the trust within the military community. This situation reflects a broader pattern of fraud targeting military personnel. The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust notes that military members and veterans nationally report losing millions of dollars to fraud and scams annually. They face unique challenges when reacclimating to society or relocating.
Such scams employ various tactics, including phishing through text messages, as reported by KHON2. The recent surge in smishing--phishing via SMS--underscores the importance of vigilance. Spectrum News 1 reports that the BBB partnered with the Association of Military Banks of America to provide the military and veterans communities with resources. This initiative provides resources to help service members and veterans recognize and avoid scams. The initiative uses a “train the trainer” approach to educate veterans and members about scams.
