TARGETED BY THIEVES WHILE SERVING THE COUNTRY — Military Members Face a Higher Risk of Identity Theft
Military service members and veterans face unique risks of identity theft and credit reporting errors.
Learn how R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys can help protect your financial future.
They Serve—and Get Targeted
In 2021 alone, nearly 50,000 service members, veterans, and military family members reported identity theft to the FTC. And the problem continues to grow.
Why? Because military life creates a perfect storm for credit reporting errors and ID theft.
Frequent relocations, remote deployments, and the need to share personal information across multiple agencies make service members prime targets for credit scams and reporting inaccuracies
Why Are Military Members So Vulnerable?
R23 Law’s California Identity Theft Victim Lawyers understand the unique financial risks military personnel face. Here’s why these risks are higher:
Constant movement: Every new duty station means new accounts, new banks, and new utility providers—all requiring sensitive information.
Mixed files: Credit bureaus can easily confuse service members with common names or overlapping identifiers, combining files and wrecking credit scores.
Limited monitoring: Active-duty personnel deployed overseas may not have the ability to track or dispute credit activity in real time.
Targeted scams: Fraudsters often impersonate government officials or offer fake military loans to trick service members into giving up sensitive info.
Security clearance stakes: For many military careers, even small credit issues can jeopardize advancement.
The Credit Reporting System Isn’t Built for Military Life
The rigid structure of the credit reporting system doesn’t flex to accommodate military challenges. A single reporting error can:
Jeopardize security clearance
Trigger loan rejections
Drive up interest rates
Damage long-term financial stability
At R23 Law, we’ve seen how a small credit reporting mistake can turn into a career-halting crisis for our military clients.
What Military Members Can Do to Protect Themselves
While the risks are real, there are practical steps every service member can take:
Track accounts: Know which accounts are open and close unused ones
Freeze your credit: Especially during deployment, this helps prevent unauthorized access
Avoid unsolicited contact: Never give out personal information to unknown callers or emails
Set credit alerts: Be notified when anything changes on your report
Check your credit report annually: Get a free report from all three bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) through AnnualCreditReport.com
Still, even the best planning can’t prevent every mistake. That’s why legal protection is crucial.
Legal Help for Service Members Harmed by Identity Theft
If you're in the military or a veteran and find fraudulent activity, merged credit files, or false accounts on your report, you may be entitled to financial compensation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
At R23 Law, our California Identity Theft Victim Lawyers have helped clients:
Correct military-related credit report errors
Pursue damages for financial and emotional distress
Restore credit scores impacted by inaccurate or stolen data
Are you a service member with credit reporting issues? R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys are here to protect the people who protect us.
📞Contact us today for a free case review—you pay nothing unless we win.
