A Particularly Disgusting Scam Targeting our Military

Red Cross" military scams

A particularly repulsive twist on the "phishing" scam (where the victim is tricked into giving out personal information later used by identity thieves) is one targeting military spouses.

How it works: Someone claiming to be with the American Red Cross calls a military spouse to inform her that her husband has been hurt while on duty in Iraq and has been transported to a hospital in Germany. To complete the necessary paperwork and proceed with treatment, the caller asks for verification of the husband's Social Security number and date of birth. The information is then used by identity thieves to obtain credit in the victim's name.

Military spouses beware: In a statement issued earlier this year, the Red Cross said its representatives do not contact military members or dependents directly, but rather do that through a commander or first sergeant. Meanwhile, pretending to be a member of the American Red Cross is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Frightened as you might be by a phone call about your spouse, be sure you are speaking with legitimate sources. "Scammers are very ingenious, and although they sound nice and interested, they can be heartless as well," says the FTC's Wood.

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