Credit, debit-card fraud hits deployees' wallets

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

10.16.2008

Story by Master Sgt. Denise Johnson 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

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By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
380th AEW Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is tackling financial crime head-on as some deployees face credit/debit-card fraud.

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is fighting back through effective data compilation, analysis and education.

Staff Sgt. Frank Mamea, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces non-commissioned officer in charge of investigations and police services, said there are several things we can do in response to an increase in financial crimes.

The 380th ESFS implemented a Victim of Financial Crime questionnaire.

"It's one of the things we can do to be more effective on the data-collection side, since it's geared toward financial crimes," Mamea said.

The questionnaires are turned in for analysis.

"We look for trends or common traits," said Col. Paul Murphy, 380th AEW vice commander. "Our hope is to educate our Airmen. We want to inform our folks so they can make smart decisions."

Wing officials are using several outlets to make sure the word gets out, such as the commander's access channel, the base publication, intranet, daily bulletin and word of mouth.

"Improving and streamlining investigative techniques is very important," Murphy said. "But preventing the crime is the key. We do that by educating our people and capitalizing on our internal communications venues."

Deployed Airmen are subjected to stressors above and beyond that of typical home-station duties. They are far from home which often makes it difficult to deal with financial issues. The 380th AEW leaders are sensitive to the necessity for deployed Airmen to have peace of mind in regard to matters of the home, to include their finances.

"We don't need our Airmen to be worried about finances when we have an Air Tasking Order to carry out. Our mission is dependent on their peace of mind," Murphy explained.

The vice commander is set to appear in a video currently being produced by the 380th AEW Public Affairs office. The video will feature the vice commander discussing ways to avoid becoming a victim of debit/credit-card crimes.

Military members are not required to report credit/debit-ard crimes through military channels. The onus of the investigation falls on the banks' shoulders, as it is the financial institution that suffers a loss as well.

"It's in the military members' best interest to report any financial crimes to security forces," Mamea said. "Too much information is always better than too little. It gives us more to go on for the analysis."

Reporting the crime to the security forces squadron will not relieve the victims of the responsibility to making an official report to the financial institution. In fact, the victim must report the fraud to his or her bank in order to be eligible for restitution, which is not guaranteed. Rules and responses vary depending on the bank or institution.

"We can provide victims with incident reports or statements to be filed with the bank," Mamea said. "Banks have different requirements. So it's important for anyone who is subjected to electronic theft to contact their bank and our office immediately."

As further information is being developed, wing leaders will continue to take an active roll in ensuring members are educated and informed on ways they can protect themselves.

"We highly encourage folks to use the base finance office for cash withdrawals," Murphy said. "To facilitate that, we try and make sure the finance office hours are user friendly and convenient."

Anyone who has questions regarding financial crime can contact their local security forces squadron law enforcement desk to be directed to the appropriate point of contact. People should also remember to contact their financial institutions immediately if any suspicious activity is noticed on their accounts.