This National Military Consumer Protection Month, AG Moody Provides Resources for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Ahead of Independence Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is providing consumer protection resources to Florida's service members and veterans. July is Military Consumer Protection Month, and the Florida Attorney General's Office provides several resources for service members, veterans and their families-from information about military-targeted scams and a consumer protection guide, to the Military and Veterans Assistance Program.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Our active-duty military members and veterans put their lives on the line for our country. It's only right that we are there for them when they experience scams that target the military community. In Florida, we pride ourselves on making sure those who serve our country are taken care of and protected against scammers who wish to do them harm. Ahead of Independence Day and celebrating the freedoms we enjoy thanks to these brave men and women, we are spotlighting several resources and programs available to assist our service members, veterans and their families."

With nearly 100,000 active and reserve members of the Armed Forces and more than 1.4 million veterans residing in the Sunshine State, the Florida Attorney General's Office is committed to assisting service members, veterans and their families.

The Florida Attorney General's Office aids Florida's service members and veterans through Attorney General Moody's Military and Veterans Assistance Program. MVAP is designed to inform military members and veterans about the types of scams that affect their communities. The MVAP team works directly with service members and veterans to resolve any consumer protection related issues or find further assistance.

Over the past 18 months, MVAP secured more than $330,000 in financial relief for active-duty and veteran consumers by resolving a wide range of complaints from home contractors taking money and not providing services to debt collectors trying to collect on a debt that isn't owed and businesses purporting to provide veterans' benefits.

One example of a complaint resolved by Attorney General Moody's MVAP program involved a veteran who suffers from severe PTSD episodes and lived in deplorable conditions with holes in the home's roof and water intrusion as a result of Hurricane Ian. With MVAP assistance, the veteran received financial relief and a replacement roof. In another instance, a veteran victimized by insurance fraud from a purported roofing contractor received a complete refund of monies paid to secure a replacement roof.

MVAP also partners with the Florida Veterans Legal Helpline, a free statewide legal service for eligible Florida veterans and families. It provides legal advice on a variety of civil legal matters and employs attorneys accredited by Veterans' Affairs. Veterans can call the helpline at 1(866) 486-6161.

Attorney General Moody's Scams at a Glance: Protect Our Patriots is another resource available to help service members. The easy-to-share tool provides information and tips on how to avoid falling victim to common schemes targeting Florida's military community, such as sham veterans' charities, aid and attendance benefits scams, charging for military records and more.

To view and download Scams at a Glance: Protect Our Patriots, click here.

Additionally, Attorney General Moody published the Military Consumer Protection Resource Guide to assist Florida military members and veterans. The guide has information about common military-related scams and guidance on existing laws and agencies that provide protections for service members.

The guide focuses on topics such as predatory lending practices, identity theft, automobile scams, debt collection, foreclosure fraud and other schemes.

To access the Military Consumer Protection Resource Guide, click here.

Anyone who encounters a military-related scam or deceptive business practices targeting service members can call 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visit MyFloridaLegal.com to file a complaint.

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