Military members and their families are a large, concentrated target, they are highly vulnerable and in a position to be uniquely exploited.  Many installations have large numbers of young Service members and their spouses who may be receiving their first regular paycheck and may be vulnerable to potential fraud.  Education Officers, counselors, base legal officers, and Commanding Officers must be aware and provide a concerted effort to educate potential targets.

A major pattern of abuse has been identified across military installations within the United States in which unscrupulous salespersons use the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) name to sell “so called” test preparation materials.  The extreme mobility of both military members and military attorneys allows these sales companies to move around the country, change names, and operate until they are exposed.

A central theme of these unscrupulous agents lies in their continuous promise that they are selling CLEP study kits which will prepare individuals for CLEP tests.  The Service member, eager to get ahead in his career signs a contract usually in excess of $3,000.  Compared to the cost of attending college, this sounds very attractive.  He receives the materials and is totally disappointed with the quality and level of materials.  When the candidates realize they have been mislead, they are told that they are obligated to reimburse or threatened with destruction of their credit rating. 

Service members have a great variety of free or low-cost alternatives for acquiring needed study references for CLEP and other credit by exam programs.  Recommendations for study materials can be found at the Navy College Office or on Navy Knowledge On-Line (NKO).  Other study material recommendations include Navy College Learning Centers (NCLCs), libraries, used college books and current textbooks from fellow students.

When a military member has been induced by fraud or mistake to enter into a contract, that party may have the contract set aside and seek restitution of those benefits lost by the transaction.  Service members should see their Education Counselor before signing education-related contracts.  If Service members feel they have been misled into signing a fraudulent contract, they should see their legal office. Remember, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is!  For further information contact the College Board at www.collegeboard.org.