Terry Goddard Announces New Consumer Hotline For Military Personnel and Veterans

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Nov. 10, 2005)  Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced a new consumer hotline for military personnel and veterans.  This hotline will provide an opportunity to contact the Attorney General’s Office with information about potential consumer fraud schemes targeting armed services personnel and veterans.

The Attorney General’s Military and Veteran’s Alert Hotline is 1-866-879-5219.  

In addition to the toll-free number, the Attorney General’s Office has also set up a new page on its Web site containing information on consumer issues affecting military personnel and veterans.

“Our military personnel safeguard our freedom during war and peacetime, and because they are deployed elsewhere, they become prime targets for scam artists,” Goddard said.  “I am committed to protecting Arizona military personnel, their dependents and veterans against these thieves.”

Goddard also encouraged active military personnel to take advantage of the “Active Duty Alert” allowed under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.  This alert provides an opportunity for active military personnel to place an alert on their credit reports in an effort to reduce identity theft during their deployment.  The “active duty alert” stays in effect for one year.  

For more information about this alert and other consumer information, please visit the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov.