Federal Trade Commission, AARP Warn of VA Impersonators
The Federal Trade Commission and the AARP are warning veterans and currently serving troops of military benefits scams targeting those about to transition from military to civilian life.
Federal Trade Commission, AARP Warn of VA Impersonators
The FTC warns that scammers may contact veterans, posing as VA officials supposedly authorized to collect fees for VA benefit applications. But the Department of Veterans Affairs does not charge fees for its services, and those contacted about paying for free VA benefits should report such attempts to the VA and the FTC.
AARP reports that unlike older scam alerts where the VA, FTC, or other agency warns veterans about third parties asking for money to speed up a VA benefits claim, more recent fraud attempts include scenarios where scammers pretend to represent the Department of Veterans Affairs itself, rather than claiming to have a “special relationship” with the VA.
An AARP survey reports that approximately 39% of veterans surveyed have experienced a fraud attempt in which the scammer impersonates the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Related: VA Loan Basics
Tactics Used to Target Service Members
Scammers often target service members preparing to depart military service, and there are certain “tells” you can look for to spot a veteran benefits scam. The first thing to examine is the source of the scam, which will typically come “out of the blue” without your having initiated contact. Beware of any communication coming from:
- Unsolicited phone calls
- Unsolicited text messages
- Unsolicited emails
- Unsolicited messages on social media platforms
Some who operate these schemes attempt to establish credibility by claiming they work for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Others assert that the agency approved their operations or, as mentioned above, that they have a special relationship with the VA that allows them to “skip the line.” The Federal Trade Commission confirms that these claims are entirely false in any circumstances.
Offers Made by Scammers to Veterans
Scammers build their pitches around promises of improved benefits, higher-paying benefits, or faster application processing times. Common proposals from these scammers include but are not limited to:
- Locating “hidden benefits”
- Finding “missing benefits”
- Promising a 100% VA disability rating for the applicant
- Speeding up the processing timeline for pending claims
These often come with a payment requirement. The Federal Trade Commission stated that any requirement to pay a fee to apply for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits is a scam and should be reported immediately.
Official Application Procedures and Costs
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not charge service members or veterans to file applications for benefits. The help provided by accredited representatives and recognized Veterans Service Organizations is also free of charge.
Applicants can submit claims online or in person at a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office. During initial filings, the Department of Veterans Affairs assists applicants at no charge by gathering required supporting evidence and preparing documentation to support the claim.
Only the Department of Veterans Affairs holds the authority to determine applicant eligibility and award benefits. No third party can issue VA benefit decisions or guarantee administrative decisions.
Guarantees and Queue Skipping Claims
Some scammers try to guarantee specific outcomes at the VA or accelerate processing times. The Federal Trade Commission warned that these claims serve as clear indicators of fraud.
There is never a guarantee that an applicant will receive VA benefits. No third party can move claims ahead of others in the processing queue, and VA employees are not authorized to accept money to do so. Guarantees regarding benefit awards or promises to skip processing lines are lies.
Verifying Representative Credentials
The Federal Trade Commission urges military personnel and veterans to check the credentials of anyone offering assistance before sharing personal details or financial assets.
Use the Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation Search tool as a verification step, as it helps veterans confirm whether a representative they are working with has received VA approval.
Steps for Reporting Fraud
The Federal Trade Commission urges people who experience a fraud attempt to report it to federal and state authorities. Start by filing an online report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and send a report to your state attorney general.
Related: What Are Veteran Service Organizations?
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
