Law Helps Troops Deal With Creditors

All service members including those deployed are protected under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, said Army Col. Christopher Garcia, a DoD spokesman. Garcia said he had no specific information regarding recent news reports saying some deployed service members have had their homes foreclosed or had other assets seized in contradiction of the law. Business community compliance with the Act “generally has been very good,” he said. Yet, he acknowledged that there have been “isolated cases of noncompliance.” This usually occurs “when a lender, or landlord, or other person dealing with a service member is unaware of the law,” he said. Activated Reserve and Guard members and those on active duty and their family members can contact their local military legal assistance officers for assistance in enforcing their rights, Garcia said.