Photo By Rick Emert | FORT CARSON, Colo. — Tom Martino, consumer advocate and radio talk show host for,...... read more read more
By Norman Shifflett
Garrison Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Think that’s a good deal on a TV or car? Think twice — it could be a trap to paying more than it’s worth.
The Army Community Service (ACS) Financial Readiness Program hosted a Military Saves and National Consumer Protection Week Kickoff event Feb. 13, 2019, at the Hub to help Soldiers and Families avoid consumer scams or pitfalls while making financial decisions.
The guest speaker for the “Financial Troubleshooting: Don’t get Ripped off Ever Again” event was Tom Martino, a consumer advocate and syndicated national radio host.
Martino pointed out the military is, per capita, the No. 2 population targeted by scammers when it comes to making financial decisions such as car and house purchases and selecting credit cards.
Scammers prey on military members because they have a steady paycheck, are polite and respect authority, he said.
Martino said the one thing he wanted the Soldiers and Families to take away from his presentation is, “don’t make rash decisions, think about everything you do. Read and think, what are the ramifications?”
People should not use checks because they have bank routing numbers and individual account numbers, he said. The information found on a check can be used to access bank accounts.
There are four things to help prevent people from becoming “consumer victims:” dress appropriately for the transaction, ask questions, do research and check credit availability, Martino said.
ACS financial program leaders invited representatives from the Fort Carson branches of Armed Forces Bank and Security Service Federal Credit Union to explain various offers for Soldiers and Families to build their savings accounts.
“It was great to see the Soldiers were asking questions and hopefully they will put the answers they got to practice,” said Staff Sgt. Dennis Kennedy, a command financial NCO with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Chelsey Kennedy accompanied her husband to the event, and said they are passionate about helping Soldiers make good financial choices because they have been there, paid for it and do not want others to make the same poor choices.
“We were those kids at 18 or 19,” she said. “We got married and we did all this, we messed up everything, we did it all wrong and now we are on the other side of that and we are both paying for that. We are trying to help people not to make the same mistakes.”
Military Saves and National Consumer Protection Week is held every February. It provides Soldiers and Family members an opportunity to pledge to save and build their financial portfolio for the future.
The ACS Financial Readiness Program staff holds classes throughout the year on numerous topics, including bank account management, budgeting, debt management and car buying. Financial readiness counselors are also available for individual counseling. Soldiers and Family members can call 526-4590 for more information.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2019 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 356214 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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