BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust off ers this copyrighted publication as a service to our men and women in uniform. It is not an endorsement of any kind.

©2015, BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust. All rights reserved.

BBBs are nonprofi t organizations serving the public interest by promoting ethical business practices in the marketplace. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

BBB Institute for Marketplace TrustATTN: BBB Military Line

3033 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600 | Arlington, VA 22201

703-276-0100®

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Information, Education, and Outreach for Military Consumers and Their Families

BBB Military Line®

BBB Military Line Established in 2004, BBB Military Line is a uniquely tailored program for military consumers and their families, located within BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and adopted by local BBB offi ces. The Institute is the educational foundation of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and a nonprofi t 501(c)(3) organization. Its goal is to bring education and BBB services to military consumers and their families—in their communities, online, and through mobile technology.

Military personnel are frequently the victims of unethical and unscrupulous business practices. BBB Military Line works to bring fi nancial literacy to those who serve, have served, and their families, by leveraging tools to help them navigate an ever-changing and often complex marketplace.

This program encourages the use of BBB consumer education materials, business reviews, charity reviews, and complaint and dispute resolution services. While BBB services and educational resources are provided online, most local outreach is performed by individual BBBs across the U.S., through fi nancial readiness workshops, local community events, and active engagement with military consumers within their respective service areas.

BBB Military Line supports fi nancial readiness in the following ways:

• Creates and delivers uniquely tailored military-focused fi nancial workshops

• Designs, produces, and distributes program-specifi c awareness materials

• Conducts train-the-trainer events for BBBs throughout the U.S. so they can better support military members within their service areas

• Tracks program analytics to ensure relevant and important information is being provided to the military community

• Connects military consumers with local BBB services to assist them with business-related issues

• Manages and monitors a robust website and social media presence in order to share valuable and timely consumer information and resources

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Other Resources for Military ConsumersFinancial Education AppsThe MobileMi$$ion app and the My Military and Money app assist military service members, veterans, and their families in managing the unique financial challenges and transitions that many military families encounter. These apps are available in the Google Play Store and the iTunes Store.

BBB Business ReviewsBBBs provide information on business performance in the marketplace that can alert consumers to a history of unanswered or unsettled complaints, law enforcement actions, and/or advertising violations.

BBB Wise Giving ReportsBBB WGA provides reviews on charities and other soliciting nonprofits that seek public donations, including those that claim to serve the military.

Dispute ResolutionBBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints against businesses through conciliation, mediation, and arbitration, as appropriate. In most cases, these services are available at no charge.

“Trusted Scout” Military Consumer e-NewsletterBBB Institute identifies current scams and military consumer issues in a monthly electronic newsletter. Sign up on our website!

How BBB Military Line Helps Military ConsumersNeed a Financial Readiness Class? BBB Military Line offers an array of interactive and engaging financial workshops that are taught by local BBB staff members. Workshops may vary by location and can include:• Deals for Wheels (Adult and Teen versions)• How to Buy a Home• Investing for Retirement• Investing in Higher Education• Scams and ID Theft• The Smart Consumer (Adult and Teen versions)

Need a Consumer Issues Subject Matter Expert? Your local BBB can provide speakers who work in the world of consumer issues and protection. Contact your local BBB today!

Looking for the Latest Scam Alerts and Valuable Consumer Information? Subscribe to our newsletter online and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

www.bbbmarketplacetrust.orgwww.facebook.com/militarylinewww.twitter.com/BBB_MilLine

Have an Issue with a Company or Other Consumer Problem? We can help! Contact your local BBB or BBB Military Line for assistance and direction.

Go to www.bbb.org and search via city and state or postal code.Inquire which Military Line services your local BBB might offer in your area.

Partners and Information SourcesA comprehensive list of military and veteran consumer resources can be found at www.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/resources.

Military consumers can find additional information from the following sources:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau www.consumerfinance.gov

• Federal Trade Commission www.consumer.ftc.gov

• FINRA Investor Education Foundation www.SaveAndInvest.org

• Military OneSource www.militaryonesource.mil

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov/investor/military.shtml

BBB Military Line is a nonprofit partner in the DoD Financial Readiness Campaign and the National Joining Forces Initiative.

BBB Military Line is made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: FINRA Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, USAA Foundation, and AMBA.

Get InvolvedContact our headquarters at 703-276-0100 or connect with us on the web and social media:

www.bbbmarketplacetrust.orgwww.facebook.com/militarylinewww.twitter.com/BBB_MilLine

Contact Your Local BBB Go to www.bbb.org and search via city and state or postal code. Inquire which Military Line services your local BBB might offer in your area.

Mission Impact

Since its inception in 2004,BBB Military Line has had the following influence:

200BBB staff trained on

Military Line nationwide

1,444educational workshops led by local BBBs with

34,810participants

166,259 participants in

outreach events

14,976subscribers to

“Trusted Scout” monthly consumer newsletter

458,243 members of military community reached

via website, social media, and in-person events

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