Scammers Target Veterans in New Scheme

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is warning the public that it has become aware of fake advertisements for a fictional “Veterans Savings Program.” The criminals promise extra VA benefits or payments while hoping to steal victims’ sensitive information.

Scammers have been mailing postcards to veterans advertising a non-existent “Veterans Savings Program” with promises of “extra VA benefits, or additional payments, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, or dental coverage, regardless of a VA disability rating. Since these mailings are not associated with the agency, the fraudsters cannot actually deliver the benefits. Instead, they will try to steal victims’ personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details.

The mailers urge the recipients to call a phone number listed on the postcard as soon as possible, or within five days, trying to create a false sense of urgency to act. If a target does get in contact with the criminals, the scammers often flatter their targets to gain their trust. The fraudsters aim for victims to act quickly, without scrutinizing the outreach.

If you receive a mailer related to VA benefits, keep the following tips in mind:

• Do an internet search of the most prominent terms on the postcard to check if it is legitimate. If the search returns results from VA.gov, use the information provided on the agency’s website to be safe.
• Legitimate communications will not pressure you to act quickly. Government officials should not coerce you into acting immediately or disclosing personal information over the phone.
• Never send money with cryptocurrency or gift cards. Genuine agency representatives will never request money with these forms of payment.
• Check with someone you trust. If something seems off, take a minute to ask someone you trust for their opinion on the situation.

If you have received or become a victim of suspected fraud, visit VSAFE.gov for resources on scams related to VA benefits. If you miss a VA benefits payment, notice a discrepancy, or suspect suspicious activity with your direct deposit, contact VA right away at 1-800-827-1000.

You can also report scams to Fraud.org. Your report helps Fraud.org alert the public and share critical information with consumer protection agencies and law enforcement partners.