Protect Your Finances: July is Military Consumer Month

July is Military Consumer Month – a collaborative initiative led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Department of War. This joint effort is dedicated to protecting all service members – including the Coast Guard workforce  veterans, and military families from fraud and financial exploitation. 

Military Consumer Month focuses on critical areas that directly impact our Coast Guard community's financial readiness, including: 

• Enhancing military consumer protections and safeguards. 

• Identifying and avoiding prevalent scams and fraud. 

• Providing actionable resources and tools for protecting personal finances. 
   

The Threat to the Coast Guard Community 

Unfortunately, scammers frequently target the military community, and Coasties are not immune. Bad actors often use sophisticated tactics, including imposter scams, VA overpayment schemes, and deceptive debt relief offers. Because financial readiness is a critical component of overall mission readiness, it is essential for all members to stay vigilant. 

Coast Guard Financial Resources 

In addition to the broader federal campaign, the Coast Guard provides robust financial readiness resources to support you and your family: 

• Personal Financial Managers (PFMs): Reach out to your local Work-life office for free, unbiased financial coaching and education. 

• Military OneSource: Learn financial basics and set financial goals by using information, tools and resources available on Military OneSource. 

• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA): CGMA offers emergency financial assistance, loans, and financial education tailored to the Coast Guard family. 

Take Action: Free Financial Readiness Webinars 

To help build your financial readiness and safeguard your personal information this month, experts are hosting a series of informative webinars.  

You are encouraged to take advantage of the following free sessions offered throughout July 2026: 

• Wednesday, July 15, 2:00 p.m. ET – Helping Military Communities Protect Their Money, Avoid Scams, and Handle Stress 

• Thursday, July 16, 2:00 p.m. ET – CFPB: Government Imposter Scams 

• Thursday, July 23, 2:00 p.m. ET – Helping Military Patrons Spot and Avoid Scams 

• Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 p.m. ET – Helping Military Veterans and Their Caregivers Spot, Avoid, and Recover from Scams  

• Access recordings and event materials – Military Consumer Protection in Action: Tools and Tactics for Service Providers 

Learn More 

For additional information and resources, please access the digital toolkit here: MCM 2026 Digital Toolkit | Military Consumer. 

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