As veterans and dependents of veterans, you have made the ultimate sacrifice for your country and deserve every promised benefit for those commitments.
In today’s digital age, however, scammers seem to be targeting you and your loved ones with increasingly sophisticated tactics.
Staying informed of the latest acts of fraud against veterans and their families is important in safeguarding your benefits and financial well-being.
In this guide we’ll review the top scams noted by our team at Hill & Ponton as being the most dangerous to veterans and their families, and provide practical tips to help you stay protected.
Let’s dive in and empower ourselves to protect what you’ve rightfully earned.
Top Scams Targeting Veterans
Knowing the top scams is vital to protect your benefits and finances. Let’s take a look at some of the prevalent scams that are specific to veterans and their families and how to recognize them as fraudulent.
Many of the recent examples were gathered from the Veterans Consumer Protection Report.
Benefits Manipulation & Fake Assistance Scams
What It Is: Scammers will deceive veterans and their families by offering “secret” programs or expedited benefits in exchange for fees.
How to Recognize It: Be wary of individuals or businesses asking for payment to access benefits or claiming that they provide special assistance outside of official VA channels.
Recent Example: In 2022, a scam targeted veterans with false promises of access to exclusive government programs for additional or expedited benefits, asking for fees. Fraudsters, posing as officials from veteran organizations, reached out via calls, emails, and social media, claiming they could navigate the Veterans Affairs system complexities. Victims paid for these non-existent services and compromised their personal information, only to realize no actual benefits were forthcoming.
Impersonation and Phishing Scams
What It Is: Fraudsters impersonate VA officials and military charities and organizations to trick veterans into sharing their personal information or sending money.
How to Recognize It: Verify the legitimacy of any communication by contacting the VA directly. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls asking for your personal and sensitive information.
Recent Example: In a notable case from early 2023, scammers impersonated officials from the Veterans Affairs (VA) and well-known military charities through emails and phone calls to veterans. These communications often included requests for personal information or financial contributions, claiming to support veterans in need or update records for benefit claims. The fraudsters meticulously crafted their messages to appear legitimate, sometimes including official logos and using real names of VA staff.
Financial Loan Scams
What It Is: Scammers may offer upfront cash for disability or pension payments, or charge fees for accessing your service records, often leading to financial exploitation.
How to Recognize It: Be cautious when companies or individuals require upfront payments or promise high returns. Verify the legitimacy of financial services through reputable sources.
Recent Example: In mid-2022, scammers targeted veterans with offers to exchange their future disability or pension payments for immediate cash, often attaching exorbitant interest rates and fees. These fraudulent deals led to significant financial losses for the veterans involved. Additionally, veterans were charged fees for accessing service records, a free service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Healthcare and Insurance Frauds
What It Is: Fraudulent schemes related to Tricare or fake COVID-19 related services and products can often target veterans and families, posing significant health and financial risks.
How to Recognize It: Verify healthcare offers through official channels, like the VA, and be very skeptical of unsolicited offers. Research thoroughly before providing personal information or making any payments.
Recent Example: In 2021, veterans were targeted by scams offering fake COVID-19 treatments and health insurance products, falsely claiming to be affiliated with Tricare or other legitimate veteran healthcare services. These schemes promised access to exclusive vaccines or treatments in exchange for personal information or upfront payment. Many veterans, aiming to protect themselves and their families during the pandemic, were misled into paying for nonexistent health services or products.
Housing and Rental Scams
What It Is: Fake classified ads may offer veterans and dependents discounts to lure them into rental and housing scams. These could result in financial loss or even identity theft.
How to Recognize It: Exercise caution when dealing with online ads that offer discounts or require any upfront payments. Always verify the legitimacy of rental opportunities through sources that you trust.
Recent Example: In late 2022, scammers posted fake rental advertisements targeting veterans by offering exclusive discounts on housing. These ads often required potential renters to pay a deposit or provide personal information upfront to “secure” the property. Unfortunately, once the payment was made, the advertised property would turn out to be non-existent, leaving the veterans out of pocket and at risk of identity theft.
How Veterans Can Protect Themselves
Protecting yourself and your family from scams requires vigilance and proactive planning.
As veterans, safeguarding your private information is incredibly important.
In this section, we’ll outline some practical steps and tips from our team to help protect you against fraudulent activities.
By implementing these strategies, you can defend your financial security and ensure that you receive the benefits you’ve rightfully earned.
Tip #1: Secure Personal Information
- Avoid sharing any sensitive information unless the source is legitimate.
- Safely manage personal and financial data by using secure passwords and encryption.
- Be cautious of any unsolicited requests for personal info, especially online.
Tip #2: Verify Charity and Assistance Claims
- Research charities and verify VA-accredited representatives before providing any financial information.
- Utilize resources provided by reputable organizations to confirm the legitimacy of veteran assistance offers.
- Be wary of high-pressure tactics or promises of immediate benefits from any organizations you are unfamiliar with.
Tip #3: Educate on Rights & Resources
- Access free military records and legitimate benefit claims processes through the VA.
- Stay informed about scams and use resources for veterans and their families.
- Be proactive about seeking reliable information and support to address questions.
Tip #4: Stay Vigilant
- Keep up with the latest scams targeting veterans by staying informed through trusted sources.
- Trust your instincts and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Report any suspicious activities or encounters to the appropriate authorities.
Protecting your hard-earned benefits is essential.
By staying informed about prevalent scams and implementing the strategies outlined here, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to fraud.
Remember to secure your personal information, verify charities, and stay educated on your rights.
If you encounter suspicious activity, please refer to the resources below to get help:
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