Protecting those who serve

Servicemembers, veterans and their families are active participants in the financial marketplace. However, they often face unique circumstances that make them targets for scams and inflated prices. Financial problems that may result from mistreatment in the financial marketplace can put their jobs and military readiness at risk. And too often, they don’t receive the financial benefits or protections federal laws provide for this group.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created to protect consumers from tricks and traps in the financial marketplace, and the agency’s Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) works specifically to help servicemembers, veterans and their families.

The CFPB helps servicemembers by:

• Taking enforcement actions (lawsuits) against bad actors in the financial marketplace on behalf of servicemembers, 
•  Maintaining a public database of complaints that shines a light on the financial issues servicemembers experience, 
• Providing information and support to help servicemembers navigate the financial marketplace, and
• Supervising companies to ensure compliance with federal consumer financial laws.

To protect those who serve, America needs a strong CFPB.

CFPB enforcement actions have recovered more than $350 million from companies that allegedly harmed servicemembers and veterans. 

Across 39 enforcement actions alleging illegal financial practices that harmed servicemembers and veterans, the CFPB has returned $363 million to servicemembers, veterans and their families, including six actions for violations of the Military Lending Act (MLA).

The CFPB Consumer Complaint Database has processed more than 400,000 complaints by servicemembers, veterans and their families.

• An analysis of more than 350,000 such complaints, made from Dec. 1, 2011, to Feb. 27, 2025, shows that nearly 54% were related to credit reporting, credit repair services or other personal consumer reports.*
• 98.5% of all servicemember complaints logged by the CFPB received a timely response from companies.
• Almost one out of every four complaints resulted in some kind of relief, with more than 84,000 servicemembers or veterans receiving either monetary compensation or non-monetary relief such as a correction to a credit report.

Figure 1: Share of complaints by financial product

Photo by Frontier Group and U.S. PIRG Education Fund | TPIN

• Servicemember complaints are most common in areas around military bases or with large veteran populations. In particular, the Atlanta area and certain cities in Texas are hotspots for complaints.
• The analysis also shows that servicemember complaints have dramatically increased in recent years, indicating that the CFPB’s work to protect consumers is more critical than ever.

Figure 2: Number of servicemember complaints by year

Photo by Frontier Group and U.S. PIRG Education Fund | TPIN

The CFPB helps servicemembers navigate the financial marketplace, sharing information on how to know and defend their rights.

OSA conducts research and develops resources to educate and inform servicemembers about their legal rights in the financial marketplace, as well as benefits and financial relief they have earned through their service. For example, OSA has created clear and concise resources to inform servicemembers about their special protections and benefits under the MLA and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Those who serve do so with dedication, courage and sacrifice. The CFPB safeguards our nation’s uniformed men and women and holds companies accountable for the financial distress they cause. And the agency gives servicemembers a voice and tools to thrive financially, empowering them to take control of their financial well-being and access the benefits they deserve. Decision-makers must protect the CFPB and ensure the agency can continue to protect servicemembers and civilian consumers.

* Frontier Group’s report “Protecting those who serve” analyzed 357,065 complaints made from December 1, 2011 to February 27, 2025. See report for the complete methodology.