CHICAGO, IL – Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning service members to stay vigilant against scammers who pose as Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) representatives to obtain personal or financial information.
These imposters contact service members, informing them of issues with their pay and demanding confirmation of personal information, including their name, rank, and confirmation of payroll deposit on www.myPay.dfas.mil.
The scammer then asks the service member to return an incorrect payment by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency, promising that it will initiate a direct deposit of the correct amount. Raoul stressed that service members should not fall for this scam as it is an attempt to obtain sensitive personal information.
Raoul advised service members to verify the legitimacy of any contact they receive from DFAS or other government agencies. DFAS and most government agencies initiate contact through official letters sent by mail and never call, email or text demanding money or personal information.
The Attorney General also reminded service members to avoid sending payments by wire transfer, payment apps like Venmo, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. He encouraged them to take time to research any calls or emails that ask for their personal information and not to feel pressured to make a decision right away.
The Federal Trade Commission’s recent report disclosed that active duty service members, members of the reserve or National Guard, and their spouses or dependents filed more than 44,229 reports of various frauds or scams nationwide in 2021, resulting in a total loss of $89 million.
Service members or their families who believe they have been targeted by suspected fraud or scam should contact the Military and Veterans Rights Helpline at 1-800-382-3000.
Raoul reminded service members that they worked hard for their pay and benefits, risking their lives for the country, and that they deserve to be protected from scams that could deprive them of their compensation.
