AAFES leadership warns customers of vehicle sale fraud Published Feb. 21, 2013 By Chris Ward Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs DALLAS -- An individual or individuals claiming to be "Exchange Inc." have been placing advertisements in auto magazines and commercial newspapers, leading Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers to believe they're purchasing a vehicle through the Department of Defense retailer. "This has been a problem for the past few months where someone is using the Exchange's trademarked logo and name without permission to purportedly sell vehicles in the U.S.," said Rick Koloski, the Exchange's loss prevention vice president. "Unfortunately, some have sent money only to receive nothing in return." Despite the fact that military exchanges do not have the authority to sell vehicles in the continental U.S., the individuals responsible for these advertisements have left consumers with the impression they are doing business with the DOD's oldest and largest exchange service. "This type of fraud has proliferated with the use of the internet and continues to be a challenge because oftentimes the perpetrator cannot be identified as the methods they utilize are not traceable back to any individual," said Koloski. "In fact, in a most recent case, money grams sent by one couple were picked up in Bangladesh, indicating this crime goes well beyond U.S. borders." Shoppers who believe that they may have been taken advantage of can file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Exchange facilities are located solely on military installations. While the Exchange does have mail order and Internet offerings, the Exchange does not advertise in civilian outlets such as metropolitan newspapers or automobile sales magazines. All advertisements for legitimate Exchange offerings are published in outlets whose audiences mostly comprise military members. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint, non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the DOD and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. Visit www.shopmyexchange.com to find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases.