How to Verify if an Online Military Conversationalist is Genuine

The internet can be a wonderful platform for connections, but it's important to be cautious, especially when it comes to military personal connections. Scammers often prey on the goodwill and honesty of those looking for relationships or friendships. This guide will help you identify if the American soldier you are talking to is genuine or a scammer.

Verifying a Real US Soldier

There are several methods and questions you can use to verify if a soldier you are talking to is genuine:

Interactive Tests

Poke him. If your finger disappears, he is likely a hologram or a scammer. If he breaks it off and feeds it to his imaginary dog, it's probably a scammer. Ask to walk up and touch him. If he feels like real skin and bones, he is most likely real or at least a very good imposter.

Face-to-Face Verification

Meeting in person or FaceTiming someone is one of the best ways to verify if they are who they claim to be. Ask yourself the following questions:

Have you met in person? Have you FaceTimed them? Do they share what their US military base is?

If you have to ask these questions, it might be a scammer, especially if they are under the age of 18 or from Nigeria.

Document Verification

DD-214. Ask if they have their DD-214, a document issued to military personnel when they separate from military service. This can be a valid piece of evidence that they have served.

While you might not have VA cards or anything similar, former soldiers can verify each other's experience. Active duty or recently retired soldiers can confirm each other if they have served.

Some other documents or evidence can include social security numbers, military IDs, or letters of recommendation from military officers.

Experience Verification

More often than not, a genuine soldier will have all sorts of little details about their service, including slang and specific experiences. For instance, they might talk about:

Slang terms and lingo specific to their branch of service. Every branch has its unique jargon, and a real soldier will naturally use it.

Little-known aspects of their job. For example, if they were a mechanic, they might talk about specific tasks like 'PMCS,' 'CQ,' 'dispatching vics,' '5988s,' and 'Crazy Chicken.'

Specific incidents or events they encountered during their service. These can be hard for an imposter to know in detail.

Common Scam Red Flags

Scammers often use specific tactics to prey on the goodwill of potential friends or romantic partners. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

They ask for personal information, money, or gifts.

They try to elicit emotional responses to gain trust quickly.

They seem overly interested in finding a romance or friendship without getting to know you.

To minimize the risk of falling for a scam, always be cautious and ensure you have multiple forms of verification before forming a deeper connection.

Conclusion

The internet can indeed be a vast platform for meaningful connections, but it's essential to verify the authenticity of individuals, especially when they claim to be US soldiers. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can ensure you are interacting with genuine individuals rather than scammers. Remember, the best protection is knowledge.