ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the release of Basic Training, a free mobile application (app) designed to help Georgia-based military service members, veterans and their families be more informed consumers and avoid scams and predatory business techniques.

“Unscrupulous businesses consistently use deceptive practices to take advantage of military service members, veterans and their families,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “That is something the Georgia Attorney General's Office will not tolerate. As a proactive measure through our Consumer Protection Unit, we are very pleased to offer the Basic Training app which aims to support Georgia’s military community and equip them with the educational tools they need to be safe and smart with their personal information.”

Scams and deceptive tactics in consumer transactions can hurt a military member's or veteran’s personal finances, damage their credit, threaten their security clearance or prevent them from getting a job. The Basic Training app guides users through key consumer and financial issues, including:

  • Buying a car
  • Creating a budget and saving for a goal
  • Recognizing and avoiding scams, fraud and deceptive practices
  • Lowering your risk of identity theft and knowing what to do if your identity is stolen
  • Understanding credit reports, credit scores and how to use credit cards wisely
  • Understanding your protections under the Military Lending Act
  • Understanding the true cost of payday loans and title pawns
  • Improving your credit and managing debt through reputable sources
  • Knowing what debt collectors can and cannot do under the law

Basic Training was created through the efforts of the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit and Georgia Watch. It is available in the app stores now and can also be downloaded directly by visiting www.consumer.ga.gov/app.

The app is a complement to the comprehensive Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide developed by Georgia Watch in collaboration with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.