{"id":11943,"date":"2021-05-30T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-30T16:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/blog\/?p=11943"},"modified":"2026-01-22T12:35:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:35:13","slug":"memorial-day-2021-scams-how-to-avoid-rental-scams-and-charity-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.socialcatfish.cloud\/scamfish\/memorial-day-2021-scams-how-to-avoid-rental-scams-and-charity-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day 2021 Scams: How to Avoid Rental Scams and Charity Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who have tragically lost their lives while performing military duties<\/a> and serving our country. However, scammers use this holiday to victimize military veterans and other innocent people.\u00a0To keep yourself protected from Memorial Day 2021 scams, we will share how scammers use this holiday<\/a> to scam people, the types of Memorial Day scams, and how to avoid these types of scams. So, if you want to honor and mourn for those who have died for our country while staying safe from scammers, keep reading!<\/p>\n

Types of Memorial Day Scams<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/American-flags-on-grass-600086-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Fake Rental Homes<\/h3>\n

While holidays like Memorial Day are supposed to be celebrated, scammers take advantage of the season to fool more people. One way they do this during Memorial Day is by posting fake rental properties.<\/a> According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)<\/a>, these scammers will steal images<\/a> of legitimate rental properties. Then, they will post ads that offer military discounts and other attractive incentives.<\/p>\n

However, the catch is that you would have to do a wire transfer as a security payment. If you happen to pay them, you will never get the property and will just lose your hard-earned money.<\/p>\n

High-Interest Military Loans<\/h3>\n

One of the most common Memorial Day scams is offering high-interest military loans.<\/a> These scammers will advertise loans that provide instant approval without any credit investigation. However, there are hidden fees, and the interest rates are unreasonably high. Some scammers will also ask you to settle an up-front payment first, which is not what a legitimate lender would do.<\/p>\n

Fake Car Sales<\/h3>\n

Another way that scammers use Memorial Day to make money is through fake car sales.<\/a> Scammers will post advertisements offering fake discounts for soldiers. Alternatively, they will pretend to be military personnel who have to sell their cars fast for deployment reasons. The scam is that they will require you to make payments upfront through wire transfer.<\/a> Once you pay, it\u2019s either you encounter issues with the car, or you will never get the vehicle.<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/American-flag-and-sky-822861-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Fake Buyout Plans<\/h3>\n

In this type of scam, you will receive a cash payment offer at the expense of a disabled veteran\u2019s future pension or benefits. According to the BBB<\/a>, the cash offer is only around 30% to 40% of what veterans are eligible to get. As these buyout plans can be structured in various ways, you need to do your research before agreeing to anything or signing an agreement.<\/p>\n

Charity Scams<\/h3>\n

Scam artists also use Memorial Day to fool military members<\/a> (and just about anyone). They will copy the names of renowned veterans\u2019 charities<\/a> to convince you to donate. Then, they will make fake websites, making them look exactly the same as the real charities. If you want to donate to these charities, make sure you verify their authenticity by doing your research.<\/p>\n

Fake Veterans Administration Calls<\/h3>\n

Other scammers will call you saying that they need to verify your personal data<\/a> so you can keep receiving your benefits as a veteran. They will attempt to get your Social Security number, birth date, and even bank account details. Note that these calls are not from the Veterans Administration. They\u2019re not calling you to update your personal data but to steal it and get your money.<\/p>\n

Costly Life Insurance Policies<\/h3>\n

Memorial Day 2021 scams also include high-priced life insurance policies. These scammers will offer unsolicited and costly life insurance policies. Then, they will pressure you into getting these insurance policies while making false statements about their benefits. If someone messages you on social media<\/a> and starts talking about these expensive life insurance policies, stay vigilant and block the account.<\/p>\n

How To Avoid Memorial Day Scams<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/American-flag-flying-in-wind-550756-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

To help you focus on honoring the people who have died for the country and keep yourself from being a victim of these Memorial Day scams, perform the following:<\/p>\n