Holly Petraeus, Director of the Better Business Bureau's BBB Military Line is fighting a war on U.S. soil.  Her war is against the rip-offs and financial illiteracy plaguing U.S. service members according to the Financial Advisor Magazine. 

Petraeus says "...It's not unusual for service members to [visit financial counselors at military installations] with $60,000 to $70,000 in credit card debt."  There are shameful, unfair practices stripping finances from military families due to deployment. 

Some young military personnel are often naïve when it comes to money, making them easy targets. In fact, during the first year of the Iraq war, soldiers were sent home due to financial problems.

Petraeus' job consists of publishing a monthly newsletter and creating 90-minute financial workshops with handouts for local Better Business Bureaus to offer to military bases.  An important point in her message to military personnel and their families is before making a purchase or sending money to a company, check the company out, either at www.bbb.org/military or with your local BBB. 

Read the full article at Financial Adviser by clicking here.