Ah, there’s nothing like a man in uniform. Many women agree that there is something enticing about a man who is willing to sacrifice for our country. Like the song goes, are you “Holding Out for a Hero?”
It all starts off pretty simple. One day, you receive a message via a dating site or social media platform, from a handsome stranger in a military uniform. He compliments your beauty and asks you questions. You feel unique, special, and wanted. But then something odd happens.
This mystery man tells you a sob story. He is deployed, out of the country, can’t access his bank account, or purchase what he needs. Or perhaps, he wants to come home on leave, but requires money for the proper paperwork and travel arrangements.
And of course, this is where you (and your wallet) come in.
It’s a case of what we call “stolen valor,” where someone impersonates a member of the military to elicit an emotional response. Some scammers take the slow route and go for the long game. They build a relationship, and ask for money only after things “feel serious” or they get “engaged” to the victim.
At Army Wife 101, we hear from countless women who suspect that their “military man” isn’t the real deal at all. Even the FBI shares that the most reported scams are romance scams.
The worst part is that the women who are targeted are often of a certain age, are on a fixed income, or are single moms. These are women who can’t afford to be swindled. Many women believe the charming words of their scammers, get emotionally attached, and sadly end up both broke and brokenhearted.
The Value of Being Savvy
Although online dating safety is paramount, for many in the civilian world, military life is a bit of a mystery. This easily blurs the lines between what is safe and accurate versus what is manipulative and unacceptable. Scammers are aware that most of the general public lacks knowledge of military rules and regulations. As a result, they simply go for the heart that respects, admires, and is grateful to service members.
Have no fear, we have heard your questions and concerns! The Army Wife 101 team has developed a valuable resource!
Krystel Spell (the blog’s creator) and Jackie Toops (the blog’s lead writer), noticed a problem. They saw the influx of emails, messages, and comments from women who sought advice. Their combined 20 years of military spouse experience and familiarity with the lifestyle, made it easy to identify whether a “military man” was the real deal, or if he was just going straight for a bank account.
The two military spouses teamed up to individually respond to each woman. Fortunately, some of were advised in time, but others unfortunately reached out only after losing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
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Available for immediate download, just $10, http://www.stopmilitaryscammersonline.com.Outsmart Scammers Starting Now
Krystel and Jackie created the all-inclusive guide. The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Outsmarting Fake Military Scammers is a one-stop shop for all questions about safely meeting and dating a military man online.
The guide shares real stories, tips on how to identify if he is truly in the military, how to report a scammer, and how to (potentially) recoup some financial losses. Most importantly, it advises how to pick up the pieces after being conned.
The guide is available for immediate download, for just $10. It is perfect if you are wondering if he is the real deal, or for loved ones who you don’t want to see get swindled and scammed. Get your copy of The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Outsmarting Fake Military Scammers here. Be informed, be confident, and be empowered.
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Jackie Toops
A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, languages and discovering new ways to express herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, languages and discovering new ways to express herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.